Navi Mumbai Auto Driver Killed After Fare Dispute, Two Men Arrested
Navi Mumbai, A dispute over an auto-rickshaw fare has turned into a fatal crime in Navi Mumbai, where an 18-year-old driver was allegedly attacked and killed by two passengers in the early hours of August 29.
Police have arrested two 20-year-old men in connection with the killing. The suspects have been identified as Sahil Ananda Surve and Sahil Yashwant Kharat, both residents of Mankhurd, Mumbai. The arrests were made after investigators traced the victim’s missing autorickshaw through CCTV footage and other evidence.
The victim, identified as Sujankumar Mahato, lived in Ghansoli and reportedly worked at a roadside food stall while driving his father’s autorickshaw at night to help support his family.
According to police, Mahato picked up the two passengers near Koparkhairane railway station at around 3:36 a.m. on August 29. The passengers allegedly wanted to travel to Mankhurd, while a disagreement developed over the fare. Police reports differ slightly on the amount discussed, with accounts describing a dispute involving a difference of roughly ₹40 to ₹50.
Investigators allege that the argument intensified during the journey. The passengers allegedly threatened Mahato with a sharp weapon and forced him to continue driving.
The autorickshaw eventually reached the Mini Seashore Garden area near Fortis Hospital in Vashi. Police said Mahato received a call from another potential passenger and asked the two men to leave the vehicle because he had another passenger to pick up.
The situation allegedly escalated again. Police said the two men attacked Mahato with a sharp weapon, causing serious injuries to his head, neck and hands. He died at the scene, while the suspects allegedly escaped in his autorickshaw.
The investigation received a major breakthrough when police began tracking the missing autorickshaw. Officers examined CCTV footage from several locations, following the vehicle’s movements from the Koparkhairane area toward Vashi and eventually Mankhurd.
Investigators also received information from a witness who had seen the incident from some distance. Although the witness could not clearly identify the attackers’ faces, details about their clothing helped police match their movements with CCTV footage.
After an extensive investigation involving Vashi Police and Navi Mumbai Crime Branch teams, the two suspects were traced to Mankhurd and arrested. Police also recovered the deceased’s autorickshaw.
Authorities said one of the arrested men has a previous criminal case. Police records reportedly show that Surve was previously booked in an attempted-murder case and under provisions of the Arms Act before being released on bail in 2025.
The suspects are expected to face further legal proceedings as investigators continue collecting evidence. Police are also working to recover the weapon allegedly used in the attack.
The case has highlighted how a seemingly minor dispute over a relatively small fare difference can escalate into extreme violence. The investigation remains ongoing, and the allegations against the arrested men will be tested through the judicial process.
