Midnight Mayhem: Cab Dispute Turns into High-Speed Bonnet Ride

A late-night between two aggregator cab drivers spiraled into a life-threatening spectacle near the domestic terminal of the city airport around midnight on Wednesday. The incident, which played out like a cinematic thriller, involved one driver leaping onto the bonnet of the other’s cab and holding on as the vehicle sped down the Western Express Highway.

The driver involved was identified as Bhimprasad Mahanto (34) and Justin J (34). According to officials, Mahanto, in an attempt to evade an altercation, accelerated his Ertiga multi-purpose vehicle with Justin clinging to the front. “Mahanto was attempting to flee when Justin jumped onto the bonnet of his car,” an officer explained. The reckless dash covered several kilometres and was caught on video by a passing motorcyclist, turning the incident into a viral moment on social media.

The situation unfolded after Mahanto dropped a passenger at the terminal and remained there, waiting for another fare. Justin, a private cab driver, allegedly confronted him, demanding he vacate the spot. This prompted a heated exchange. The tension escalated when other cab drivers gathered in solidarity with Justin.

“Looking at the crowd, Mahanto started the engine and tried to drive away. Just then, the cab driver stepped in front of the Ertiga and ended up on its bonnet,” a police official told PTI. In the video, Justin can be seen gripping the cab’s edges while speaking to a motorcyclist filming the scene.

The Airport police swiftly intervened. Mahanto was detained, his vehicle impounded, and a formal complaint was lodged against him. Authorities registered a case under multiple sections, and a complaint was lodged against him. Authorities registered a case under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) — Sections 281, 125, 126(2), 115(2), 352 — along with Section 184 of the Motor Vehicles Act. Additionally, a notice was issued under Section 35(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).

Justin has since filed a formal police complaint, demanding justice for the dangerous ordeal. While no serious injuries were reported, the incident has spotlighted the volatility among ride-hailing drivers in competitive zones and raised serious questions about public safety and regulatory enforcement at transport hubs.

The viral footage, while shocking, highlights the bravado, recklessness, and impulsiveness that can emerge in high-stress urban environments. As this bizarre and tumultuous episode unfolds, authorities are expected to take stricter action to prevent such anomalous and audacious behaviour in the future, ensuring vigilance and civility prevail on the city’s roads.