Four persons have been arrested in connection with the knife attack on a car driver that occurred on Club Road on Tuesday afternoon. The injured driver, Basavant Kadolkar, who drives the vehicle of Mrinal Hebbalkar, narrowly escaped death due to the timely intervention of a senior IPS officer.
According to the police, the identities of the accused emerged after Basavant’s friend, Madan, lodged a formal complaint. Investigations revealed that Shivayya and Mitesh carried out the attack at the instigation of Monappa and Sampat. Based on this, all four accused were taken into custody.
The arrested persons have been identified as Monappa Patil, Mitesh Badiger, Sampat Kadolkar, and Shivayya Pujari. This information was confirmed by Police Commissioner Bhushan Borse while briefing the media.
Senior IPS officer Ravindra Gadadi, whose swift action proved crucial in saving the driver’s life, recounted the incident to reporters. He stated that while returning home for lunch from his office around 2:15 pm, he noticed two individuals brutally attacking a man with a knife on the road, approximately 50–60 metres from Eefa Hotel.
“I asked my driver to stop the car and immediately rushed towards the spot. Despite seeing a police officer and a police vehicle, the assailants showed no fear and continued stabbing the man who had fallen to the ground. There was visible hatred in their eyes,” Gadadi said.
He further added that he appealed to bystanders for help, but none came forward. “I then asked my driver to bring my pistol. Hearing this, the attackers fled from the scene. I immediately shifted the injured man to Vijaya Hospital and followed. Later, I learnt that the victim was Basavant Kadolkar, the driver of Minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar’s son,” he said.
Expressing concern, Gadadi noted that around 15 to 20 people were present at the scene during the attack. “Had even one or two people come forward to help, the attackers could have been apprehended on the spot. Citizens must understand their responsibility in such situations,” he remarked.
Excellent response from the senior IPS officer which saved the life of the victim.
Common citizens can intervene only if they themselves are healthy, fit and carrying a licensed weapon.