Tiff over Rs 2 with auto-rickshaw driver claims Mumbai youth's life

Mumbai: A 26-year old Mumbai youth lost his life following an argument over a change of Rs 2 with an auto-rickshaw driver here early Sunday, officials said here on Wednesday.

The incident occurred when the victim, Chetan Archinerkar, arrived on a flight from Goa and hopped into an auto-rickshaw from Mumbai Airport.

On reaching Archinerkar`s residence at Godrej Colony in Vikhroli, driver Kamlesh Gupta demanded change of Rs 2 or forfeit Rs 8 for paying the fare of Rs 172.

An altercation ensued and Archinerkar went home upstairs to get the change.

Even then driver Gupta allegedly returned only Rs 20.

Meanwhile, Archinerkar`s father came down and told his son to forget the balance Rs 8, when the driver allegedly abused him and drove off.

Enraged, Archinerkar chased the auto-rickshaw and managed to grab the metal frame of the running vehicle which suddenly lost balance and overturned.

The auto-rickshaw fell on Archinerkar who suffered severe injuries. He was later declared dead in a hospital.

Archinerkar`s father watched the incident but could do nothing to save his son.

Later, he lodged a complaint with Vikhroli police who quickly nabbed Gupta and arrested him on the charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

He has been remanded to police custody and is lodged in Thane Central Jail, an official said.

Archinerkar had recently graduated in management and had gone for a job interview to Goa. He is survived by a younger brother and parents.