The clips were allegedly prepared at the office of Pohankar

NAGPUR: Akhil Pohankar, 30, owner of Waddhamna-based Andhra-Karnataka transport, along with another fellow transporter Amit Thakre, were arrested on Sunday after video clips of them torturing a driver by hanging him upside down from ceiling went viral. Their accomplice is also seen inserting a rod in driver’s private parts in the clips.

The clips were allegedly prepared at the office of Pohankar, also office-bearer of a political party, a day before to teach the 23-year-old driver Vicky Aglawe a lesson. Aglawe was given Rs 30,000 cash by Pohankar as expenses for taking his truck, loaded with glass consignment, to Thiruvananthapuram on July 26. Aglawe apparently spent the money on liquor, clothes and feasting. He also did not turn up despite repeated calls by Pohankar.

Aglawe is learnt to be working as driver with Pohankar for around a year. Aglawe, who stays with his mother, is not known to have sound reputation. The truck, which was supposed to leave for Thiruvananthapuram with the consignment on Thursday but remained parked at Pohankar’s office. On Saturday, Aglawe called up Pohankar stating he was not well.

Aglawe was summoned to office by Pohankar. As soon as he arrived, Pohankar disrobed Aglawe before tying his hands and legs. The video clips, now in possession of TOI, showed an inner-wear clad Aglawe with his hands and legs tied together was tied with a rope to the ceiling hook upside down. Pohankar and others were mercilessly showering blows with rods and sticks on his bare back. As Aglawe pleaded for being forgiven, he was hit even more.

Pohankar was later seen whipping a bare-bodied Aglawe with his leather belt as the victim writhed in pain. The most gruesome part showed someone inserting a rod in the private parts of Aglawe after removing his inner-wear before lifting him up in the air again. Police sources later said it is another driver, Prakash Choure, also booked in the case, who had done so.

The office of Pohankar was guarded with two curtains despite which several others could be seen peeking inside to see the drama. It was also evident from the clips that several persons were recording the goings on on their cellphone.

Wadi police have now registered offences of attempt to murder and rioting against Pohankar, Thakre, Prakash Choure and a few others. Sources stated name of a senior politician was surfacing repeatedly for trying to suppress the matter but police had to register offence as two clips of the torture had gone viral in various social media groups. Several supporters of Pohankar too had assembled at Wadi police station trying to hush-up the matter.

Sources said there was substantial pressure on Aglawe too for settling the matter and not make any complaint to the police. The supporters of Pohankar are learnt to have prepared another video of Aglawe stating his intention not to press charges.

Zonal DCP Vivel Masaal said the action was taken after the video clips were sent to police. “We registered the case promptly and took action as soon as the matter came to fore,” he said.



In Video: Shocking: Transporter hangs driver upside down, inserts rod in private parts