HYDERABAD: A 42-year-old auto-rickshaw driver died after allegedly being assaulted by a group of men following an argument over change for a Rs 20 fare at Vattepally under Falaknuma police station limits on Sunday evening.
The victim, Mohammed Mukarram, was a resident of Vattepally. Police have taken two persons, Azeem, 30, and Shoaib, 28, into custody in connection with the incident.
According to Falaknuma police, Mukarram was travelling with his wife and daughter when a woman hailed him near Ayaan Darbar Hotel to go to Nice Hotel in Vattepally on ride sharing basis. The fare was Rs 20. On reaching the destination, the woman allegedly offered a Rs 200 note and later a `100 note. Mukarram told her he did not have change.
Victim had no chance to defend himself
An argument followed, during which the woman allegedly threatened to call her son, Azeem. Mukarram then left without collecting the fare, police said.
Later, Mukarram received a call from an auto driver, identified as Sk Sajid, asking him to return to Nice Hotel to “settle the issue”. Mukarram reached the spot around 7.30 pm, where a group of men, including Azeem and Shoaib, was waiting.
As Mukarram got down from the auto, one of the men allegedly punched him in the face while another attacked him. Mukarram fell to the ground and appeared to suffer a seizure. Police said the men allegedly continued to assault him even after he had fallen and appeared to be in that condition. They fled only after he became unconscious.
His daughter and other family members rushed him to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead.
Police reached the spot after receiving information and began an investigation. Eyewitnesses told police that around eight to nine men were involved in the assault. Police are examining CCTV footage and vehicle registration numbers to identify the other suspects.
A case has been registered and further investigation is under way.