Thane Man Gets One-Day Jail Sentence Nine Years After Slapping Traffic Cop in Road Rage Incident

Thane: Nine years after a road rage incident left a traffic police constable assaulted, a Thane sessions court on Wednesday convicted 52-year-old Ramesh Shitkar and handed him a one-day simple imprisonment, citing his fragile health and family responsibilities. The court also imposed a fine of ₹10,000 on the accused.

The court proceedings revealed that the incident occurred at the Cadbury signal in Thane when traffic constable Dilip Pawar attempted to flag down a speeding car driven by Shitkar. Rather than complying, the accused stopped his vehicle in the middle of the road, verbally abused the constable, and slapped him repeatedly, according to the police.

Additional Sessions Judge GT Pawar, who presided over the case, emphasized that leniency was warranted given Shitkar’s conduct during the trial, ongoing health issues, and family responsibilities. The judge noted that while the assault was serious, the injuries caused to the constable were not extensive.

Shitkar was convicted under Sections 353 and 332 of the Indian Penal Code, which cover the use of criminal force and voluntarily causing hurt to a public servant. However, the court did not uphold charges under Section 504, which deals with intentional insult aimed at provoking a breach of the peace, stating that this aspect of the case was not sufficiently proven.

The July 31 order, which became publicly available on Wednesday, marks the end of a legal battle spanning almost a decade.

While the sentence is symbolic — a one-day imprisonment — the case highlights the challenges and delays often involved in legal proceedings in India, as well as the risks law enforcement officials face even in routine traffic duties.

Constable Pawar, who was assaulted during the incident, had reportedly resumed his duties and continued serving in the traffic department, reflecting the resilience of officers in the line of duty.

This case serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting law enforcement officers and the consequences, however delayed, that can follow for those who cross the line in confrontations.