A confrontation over public spitting in Thane escalated into a violent assault that left an elderly man with a fractured leg and sparked widespread outrage after a video of the incident went viral on social media.
The incident occurred near Jupiter Hospital on Tuesday evening. According to reports, senior citizen Saroj Dastur, aged around 75–76, was walking with his wife, Radhika Dastur, when he objected to a cab driver allegedly gargling water and repeatedly spitting on a public road. What began as a verbal exchange quickly turned into a physical confrontation.
The accused, identified as Nishant Shukla, allegedly became aggressive after being questioned about his behavior. Witness accounts and video footage circulating online suggest that Shukla assaulted the elderly man and pushed him during the argument. The situation reportedly escalated further when he allegedly picked up a large stone and threw it at Dastur.
As a result of the attack, Dastur suffered a fractured leg and other injuries requiring medical treatment. The incident drew significant public attention after video footage of the altercation spread online, prompting condemnation from residents, political leaders, and social media users.
The matter soon reached Eknath Shinde, who viewed the video and personally intervened. According to statements from his office, Shinde directed police officials to consider invoking Section 109 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, relating to attempt to murder, arguing that the assault could have resulted in the victim's death.
Shinde stated that assaulting someone merely for objecting to littering or spitting in public places was unacceptable. Referring to the viral footage, he expressed concern that the accused allegedly used a stone during the attack and emphasized the seriousness of the injuries suffered by the elderly victim.
Following the public outcry, workers of the Shinde-led Shiv Sena reportedly launched a search for the accused. According to statements from Shinde's office, party workers located Nishant Shukla and handed him over to the police at Vartak Nagar Police Station. Local party functionaries were said to have played a role in tracking him down.
Despite the arrest and political intervention, police officials indicated that no formal case had yet been registered at the time of the latest reports because the victim had not filed a complaint. Authorities are reviewing the video footage and gathering evidence before proceeding further.
The incident has generated significant debate in Maharashtra regarding public behavior, violence against senior citizens, and the legal response to assaults captured on video. Many local residents and community members have demanded strict action against the accused, while police continue their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the attack.
