Panaji: A senior citizen lawyer and his daughter-in-law allegedly faced threats and abuse from Rahul Faldessai, son of BJP Cumbharjua MLA Rajesh Faldessai, during a road rage incident in Curchorem. Rahul was reportedly driving a Thar.Chief minister Pramod Sawant said he would inquire into the matter. “I will ask police to act in the case,” he said.The incident occurred last Saturday around 8pm. A video of the incident went viral on social media on Sunday.In a written complaint to Curchorem police, lawyer Shantaram Kudchadkar said he was travelling with his daughter-in-law and grandchildren to Margao in their Mercedes SUV when they reached near Pontemol junction and found their way blocked by a Thar parked diagonally, partly in the middle of the road.Kudchadkar said traffic quickly piled behind them. “Within 5 to 10 minutes, a massive traffic jam ensued,” he said.According to the complaint, his daughter-in-law began honking to attract the attention of the SUV’s occupants, and other motorists soon joined in. Kudchadkar alleged that Rahul, who was inside the vehicle, initially ignored the honking, then stepped out and abused his daughter-in-law.Kudchadkar also alleged that Rahul appeared to be under the influence and, instead of moving the vehicle, switched on the parking lights and remained inside with his companions despite the traffic jam.The senior citizen said he got out of his vehicle to ask why the road was being blocked and found there was sufficient space for the Thar to move. Kudchadkar alleged that Rahul ignored his request to clear the road and only moved after two to three other individuals gathered nearby.Kudchadkar said that after he resumed his journey towards Margao, he saw Rahul and two to three others allegedly carrying a rod or stick and gesturing towards their vehicle.“Terrified for our safety, my family tried to speed away by moving to the extreme side of the road. However, Rahul relentlessly chased us in their Thar, driving dangerously close as if attempting to ram our car or cause a severe accident, trailing us all the way to Ambedkar circle, where we were forced to halt momentarily before they sped away across the signal toward Quepem,” the senior citizen alleged.Curchorem PI Melson Colaco told TOI that police are conducting a preliminary inquiry. “We called Rahul to the police station on Tuesday to find out about the incident. We have collected the CCTV footage of the incident,” Colaco said.
