India confronts violent road disputes as enforcement concerns grow

Violent road disputes across India are raising concerns about weak enforcement and the risks created when confrontations involve larger vehicles. Deutsche Welle reported cases in Gurugram, Hassan and Dehradun, including alleged vehicle attacks and a fatal shooting.

In Gurugram, police arrested a driver after 27-year-old biker Shivani Chauhan was allegedly struck and injured during a road dispute. The two sides gave differing accounts of how the confrontation began, while the driver reportedly said he lost control and left because he feared reprisals. Police charges reportedly include attempted murder and stalking.

In Hassan, Karnataka, police said a driver allegedly turned a Toyota Fortuner around and rammed a group who had told him to slow down. One person was killed and three were seriously injured. In Dehradun, an argument between occupants of two SUVs allegedly escalated into a chase and gunfire that killed retired Army brigadier Mukesh Joshi, who was not involved in the initial dispute.

The incidents have prompted officials and experts to focus on enforcement rather than vehicle ownership alone. On 9 September, Daman officials required owners of Mahindra Thar and Toyota Fortuner SUVs to take a public road-safety pledge, warning that larger vehicles should not be used to intimidate others or display power.

Government figures show an average of 485 people were killed in road crashes each day in India in 2024. SUVs accounted for about 56 per cent of car sales in the 12 months to March 2026, although the source does not establish that their growing presence causes more aggressive driving.

Experts told Deutsche Welle that tougher policing, better use of technology and more consistent punishment are needed. Road rage is not specifically defined as an offence in India, leaving police to rely on charges ranging from rash driving to attempted murder.