Bhiwandi JCB Operator Attacked Over Warehouse Work Dispute

Bhiwandi witnessed a violent attack on a JCB operator, Yashwant Maurya, on September 2, 2026, due to a dispute over the allocation of earthmoving and excavation work at a warehouse facility.

The Narpoli police have registered a case against Varun Mhatre and three others for allegedly assaulting Maurya with an iron rod, damaging the construction equipment, and issuing threats. Two of the accused have been arrested and produced before a court, which remanded them in police custody till Thursday.

According to the police, Maurya was transporting the JCB machine near Highway Dhaba on the Mumbai-Nashik Highway when four persons allegedly arrived on a scooter, intercepted him, and attacked him with a steel rod. The assault left Maurya seriously injured, while the JCB was also allegedly vandalised.

Maurya told the police that around a month ago, Varun Mhatre had allegedly warned him against operating a JCB inside the Indian Corporation compound. Despite the warning, Maurya continued operating the machine on the instructions of its owner. He alleged that he had been assaulted twice earlier over the same dispute and that complaints regarding the incidents had been submitted to the Narpoli police.

The latest attack has brought the spotlight back on allegations of local work monopolies and coercive practices in Bhiwandi's rapidly expanding logistics sector. According to Pradeep Naval, CEO of Indian Corporation, the company had previously engaged Varun Mhatre for operating JCBs, dumpers, and other machinery. Naval alleged that Mhatre would work the machines for only a few hours but allegedly pressure supervisors to record significantly longer working hours, resulting in substantial financial losses to the company over the years.

After the company allegedly became aware of the practice, it purchased its own JCB and stopped assigning work to Mhatre. Naval alleged that the subsequent attack was an attempt to intimidate the company and its employees after the work was discontinued.

Earlier incidents alleged by Naval include company employees being targeted in two earlier incidents, and the vehicle of the company owner's brother was also damaged during the latest episode. He urged the police to arrest all the accused and take stringent legal action.

The allegations, however, are part of the complainant's version and will have to be established through the investigation. The police are currently investigating the matter and efforts are underway to trace and arrest the remaining accused.

The incident has raised concerns over the safety of workers in the logistics sector and the need for stricter laws to prevent such incidents. The Bhiwandi warehouse hub is a significant contributor to the region's economy, and such incidents can have a negative impact on the sector.

In conclusion, the attack on the JCB operator in Bhiwandi is a serious incident that highlights the need for stricter laws and regulations to prevent such incidents in the logistics sector. The police are currently investigating the matter, and it is essential that the accused are brought to justice to ensure the safety of workers in the sector.