Truck Driver, Shopkeeper and Family Assaulted in Manali; FIR Registered

May 30, 2026

Manali: On Friday evening in Manali, Himachal Pradesh, a young man first attacked a truck driver with a sickle. Shortly thereafter, he arrived at a shop with a friend and proceeded to attack the shopkeeper, his wife, and an employee using a shovel and a stick. Following this assault, both accused individuals fled the scene.

The incident stemmed from a dispute over overtaking that occurred in Manali around 6:00 PM on Friday evening. At that time, a local youth from Manali named Sanjay Kumar retrieved a sickle from his vehicle and attacked both the truck driver and his truck. The attack resulted in the shattering of the truck’s windshield. Onlookers present at the scene recorded the entire incident on camera. Subsequently, the complainant Prem Chand, a resident of Gahar village in the Kullu district lodged a formal complaint with the police.

Truck Driver’s Vehicle Blocked, Keys Snatched After Heated Argument

Prem Chand stated that he was transporting tiles from Kullu to Leh in his truck (HP-34E-8542). He was accompanied by Thakur Das, who was serving as the conductor. Upon reaching the vicinity of Hotel Neelam in Rangri, the driver of another vehicle (HP-58A-9691) identified as Sanjay Kumar, a resident of Rangri, Manali overtook the truck, positioned his vehicle directly in front of it, and blocked its path.

Sanjay Kumar then began verbally abusing and arguing with them. Following the altercation, he attacked the vehicle with a sickle, snatched the truck’s keys, and fled the scene.

DSP Manali, KD Sharma, confirmed that a case has been registered at the Manali Police Station based on the complaint received. An investigation is currently underway under Sections 126(2), 352, 324(2), and 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Second Attack at Shop Leaves Three Injured

After carrying out this incident, the accused, Sanjay Kumar, along with his friend Deshraj, arrived at Rangri on Kanyal Road in Manali. In a complaint filed with the police, the victim, Anil Kumar, stated that he was present at his shop along with his wife and an employee. During this time, Sanjay (alias Sanju) instigated an altercation without any provocation.

Sanju and his friend attacked Anil, his wife, and the employee using shovels and sticks. However, the victims displayed courage and fought back against the accused in self-defense. Consequently, both accused individuals fled the scene.

Long-Standing Grudge and Extortion Allegations Cited

The complainant informed the police that the accused frequently visits the shop, engages in physical altercations, and demands goods for free. When refused, he intimidates and threatens them. Acting on this long-standing grudge, both accused individuals attacked the victims using shovels and sticks. During the incident, the accused also vandalized merchandise within the shop.

The shopkeeper, his wife and the employee, all injured in the assault are currently undergoing medical treatment. The police have registered a case under various sections of the law and have initiated further proceedings.

Following the viral circulation of two videos depicting the assault on social media, demands for strict action against both accused individuals have begun to mount.