Abandoned car triggers panic wave at FC Road

The society accused police officials of inaction despite informing them about the vehicle on the society's premises. They said police officials were reluctant to tow away the car.

Scare-car: The four-wheeler with broken windows parked on the premises of a posh society off Fergusson College Road yesterday. (Inset) The bloodstained handkerchief on one of its seats

"On Thursday afternoon, we spotted the car in our parking lot. We immediately informed the Deccan police station officials and asked them to take the vehicle in their custody. But the officials spoke very arrogantly and refused to take action. We fail to understand how police can behave so irresponsibly and leave an abandoned car in a residential area," said society chairperson Anupama Oak.

When contacted, API Manohar Kulkarni of the Deccan Police Station rubbished the allegations. "An hour prior to this incident, a brawl had taken place between two groups right next to the society. A mob of around 15 to 20 people vandalised the vehicle and fled the spot. Later, car owner Mayur Gangawane and four of his friends pushed the vehicle and left it at the society's parking lot as it refused to start and was creating a traffic jam. We reached the spot in time. Since we didn't have a tow truck with us, we asked residents for some time to arrange for one. As soon as we got one, without further delay, we removed the vehicle. The residents are unnecessarily making an issue out of it and blaming the police."

Car owner Mayur Gangawane said he was having coffee with his friends near the spot where the two groups clashed. "We got nothing to do with either of the groups. I think one of the two groups thought we belonged to the rival party and pelted stones at our car. They broke the windows and even slapped my friends," said Gangawane.