Kolkata: A passenger was reportedly kidnapped and assaulted with iron rods and bamboo sticks by an app-cab driver and his associates in eastern Kolkata on Friday afternoon over a fare dispute.The ordeal began when a resident of Panchannagram, returning home from Howrah Railway Station with three friends, booked a four-wheeler through a popular app cab aggregator. Upon reaching their destination around 11 am, an altercation broke out between the driver and one of the passengers over a parking fee and an additional fare worth Rs 142 after the driver dropped off the other passengers.As the argument escalated, the driver drove off toward Science City with one passenger still inside the vehicle, refusing to drop him at his residence.Alerted by the situation, one of the other passengers – who was dropped off earlier – and two of his friends immediately pursued the four-wheeler, intercepted it near Science City, and rescued their stranded friend.However, the app cab driver allegedly returned around 1 pm, accompanied by a group of associates. The armed group then allegedly forcibly bundled the passenger into the same vehicle in front of his Panchannagram residence and abducted him.The perpetrators drove the victim to Dhapa Ground within the Pragati Maidan police station limits. Throughout the journey, the men repeatedly kicked, punched, and struck the victim with fists and elbows. Upon reaching the isolated location, the assault intensified as the driver and his associates beat him viciously with metallic rods and bamboo sticks until he nearly lost consciousness.Alerted by the commotion, local residents and on-duty cops rushed to the scene, managed to intervene, and apprehended six assailants from the spot. Friends of the victim transported him to Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital (CNMC), where he was treated for multiple grievous injuries across his body before being discharged.Based on a formal complaint lodged by the victim, the Anandapur police station registered a case under relevant sections of the BNS,.The officers confirmed that all six suspects—including the driver—have been identified and a few have been detained for questioning.