Mumbai: A minor dispute over seating space escalated into violence when a 25-year-old obese woman and her father, along with five others, attacked a rickshaw driver and vandalized his vehicle.

The incident took place in front of Ashok Nagar Gate in Bhiwandi after the passengers refused to sit in the rickshaw with the woman, sparking an argument between her and the rickshaw driver.

The incident occurred on the night of Wednesday, September 11, when Tejal Sharad Bhavarthe hired a rickshaw from Kalyan railway station at around 9 p.m. to travel to her home.

Due to her size, other passengers were reluctant to share the rickshaw with her, which led to a confrontation between Tejal and the driver, Shamsuddin Barkat Ali Ansari (37). Tejal, upset by the driver’s remarks, immediately called her father to inform him about the situation.

Unbeknownst to the rickshaw driver, Tejal’s father, Sharad Bhavarthe, along with Ram Shigwan and five other individuals, waited for them to arrive at Ashok Nagar.

As the rickshaw reached the Ramdev Bites area at around 9:45 p.m., the group ambushed Shamsuddin, attacking him with punches and causing injuries. The assailants also broke the front windshield of the rickshaw, inflicting significant damage to the vehicle.

Following medical treatment, Shamsuddin filed a complaint at the city police station on Saturday, September 14. A case has been registered against eight people, including Tejal and her father. The police have issued notices to the accused, and further investigation is underway.