A seemingly minor dispute over an auto-rickshaw fare took a tragic turn in Navi Mumbai, where an 18-year-old driver was allegedly attacked with a sharp weapon and killed by two passengers.
The incident took place in the early hours of August 29 near the Mini Seashore Garden area in Vashi. Navi Mumbai Crime Branch and Vashi Police have since arrested two 20-year-old suspects in connection with the murder.
Two Passengers Boarded the Rickshaw in Koparkhairane
The victim has been identified as Sujan Kumar Feku Mahato, an 18-year-old resident of Ghansoli.
According to the police investigation, Mahato was working as an auto-rickshaw driver and had been ferrying passengers on the night of August 28. At around 3.30 am on August 29, two young men boarded his rickshaw near Koparkhairane railway station and asked him to take them towards Mankhurd.
A dispute reportedly began over the fare. Police said the fare was around ₹150, while the passengers allegedly said they had only ₹100, resulting in an argument.
Dispute Escalated Near Vashi
The situation reportedly became more serious as the journey continued.
When the rickshaw reached the area near Hanuman Mandir in Sector 5, Vashi, the two passengers allegedly threatened the driver with sharp weapons and forced him to continue driving. Later, when the vehicle reached the Mini Seashore Garden area near Fortis Hospital, another disagreement broke out.
Mahato reportedly received a call from another passenger during the journey. He told the two men that he had another passenger to pick up and asked them to get out of the rickshaw.
That request allegedly triggered another confrontation.
Driver Attacked With Sharp Weapons
According to the police, the two passengers allegedly attacked Mahato with sharp weapons during the argument.
He suffered serious injuries to his head, neck and hands. The attackers allegedly fled from the location after the assault, taking the victim’s rickshaw with them.
Mahato succumbed to his injuries, turning what had reportedly started as a fare dispute into a murder case.
More Than 150 CCTV Cameras Scanned
Following the incident, teams from the Navi Mumbai Crime Branch and Vashi Police launched a detailed investigation.
Investigators reportedly examined footage from more than 150 CCTV cameras along the suspected route. Police also checked the victim’s call records and gathered information about the suspects.
An important lead reportedly came from an Aadhaar card found near the crime scene. Police were able to trace a woman whose identification document had been found there, and she subsequently helped investigators with information about the incident.
Two Suspects Arrested in Mankhurd
The investigation eventually led police to Mankhurd, where the two suspects were arrested.
They have been identified as Sahil Ananda Surve, 20, and Sahil Yashwant Kharat, 20. Police also recovered the auto-rickshaw allegedly taken from the scene.
The weapon allegedly used in the attack had not been recovered at the time of the latest reports.
One Accused Has Previous Criminal Case
Police said that Surve has previously been booked in a serious criminal case involving attempted murder and assault, along with provisions of the Arms Act.
According to investigators, he was released on bail in October 2025. Police are now questioning both accused as part of the ongoing investigation.
The incident has raised concern in Navi Mumbai, particularly among auto-rickshaw drivers and commuters, as a dispute over a relatively small fare allegedly ended in the death of a young driver.
