Madhya Pradesh road rage: Auto driver survives as phone deflects bullet; attackers fired 5 rounds

BHOPAL: A Satna auto driver’s mobile phone became a lifesaver in the most literal sense when a bullet fired at him during a road rage incident hit the phone first, it deflected the shot and likely saved him from a deadly injury.

Vidyasagar Nishad, 24, aka Kallu, survived a shooting on Jan 17 when a bullet fired at him struck the phone in his shirt pocket first, altering its trajectory and preventing a potentially fatal injury.


The incident occurred near an automobile shop on Rewa road, under Kolgawan police limits. According to police, Kallu’s auto had a minor collision with a motorcycle carrying four youths, sparking a heated argument. The youths allegedly blocked his auto, hurled abuses, and escalated the confrontation.

When Kallu objected to the abuse, one of the youths, a juvenile, allegedly opened fire with a pistol, discharging five rounds with the intention to kill, police said. One bullet struck the mobile phone kept in Kallu’s shirt pocket, altering its trajectory before hitting his right thigh.

Doctors said the phone likely saved his life
Doctors said the impact of the phone reduced the severity of the injury and likely saved his life.

Based on the complaint, police registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Arms Act. During the investigation, Kolgawan police arrested two accused—Shubham Kumar Pandey alias Golu (aged 18 years, 11 months) and Satyam Tiwari (aged 19)—and detained two juveniles allegedly involved in the firing.

Police recovered a country-made pistol, four empty cartridges, and one live round from the accused. The two adult accused were sent to central jail, while the juveniles were produced before the Juvenile Justice Board and sent to a child observation home.

Further investigation is underway, police said.

In a similar incident in Dec last year, a man in Rau, Indore, survived a daylight shooting when a bullet hit mobile phone and an ATM card in his trouser pocket before grazing his leg.