Click here to join Express Pune WhatsApp channel and get a curated list of our stories
As per the complaint, Dhepe approached Gaikwad at his shop and asked him the price of tomatoes. When Gaikwad quoted Rs 20 per 250 gm, Dhepe said the tomatoes were too costly. (Representational Image) With prices of tomatoes soaring across the country, an argument over the high price in a vegetable market took a violent turn when a vendor hit a customer with a measuring weight, grievously injuring him on the face and also punched him.
The incident took place around 7.30 pm in Vadgaon Sheri vegetable market on July 5. The injured, Gopal Dhepe (42), a resident of the same area went to buy vegetables. Dhepe, who was undergoing treatment for the injury on his cheek, approached the Chandan Nagar police station on Saturday, based on which, police booked the vegetable vendor Anil Gaikwad.
As per the complaint, Dhepe approached Gaikwad at his shop and asked him the price of tomatoes. When Gaikwad quoted Rs 20 per 250 gm, Dhepe said the tomatoes were too costly.
At this, Gaikwad began to hurl abuses at him and an argument ensued, police said. Gaikwad punched Dhepe on the face and hit him with a measuring weight, injuring him on the cheek. After receiving treatment for his injury, Dhepe approached police on Saturday and an FIR was registered. Police have booked Gaikwad under relevant Indian Penal Code sections, but are yet to make an arrest.
Prices of tomatoes, which are skyrocketing in India, are mainly being attributed to high temperatures in March and April, which resulted in pest infestation on a large scale in key production areas.