Navi Mumbai: A misunderstanding in a friendship triangle led to serious injuries for a 23-year-old man after his 17-year-old minor friend attacked him with a cutter, slashing his face multiple times.

The incident took place on Wednesday evening near Ghansoli railway station. The victim, identified as Atish Narayan Saruk, sustained severe injuries to his face, neck, and hands and is currently undergoing treatment at D.Y. Patil Hospital in Nerul.

According to the police, Saruk a resident of Ghansoli and the accused minor, a resident of Wagle Estate, Thane, were friends with a 18-year-old girl. The minor was reportedly unhappy with Saruk communicating with her, which led to frequent disputes between the two.

In an attempt to resolve their differences, Saruk and the girl decided to meet the minor boy near Central Park in front of Ghansoli railway station at around 5.30 pm on Wednesday.

“However, the discussion quickly escalated into an argument and then a physical altercation. Amid the fight, the minor pulled out a cutter from a nearby lemon juice seller and slashed Saruk multiple times before fleeing the scene,” senior police inspector Audumber Patil from Koparkhairane police station said.

Passersby rushed Saruk to a private hospital in Koparkhairane, from where he was later shifted to D.Y. Patil Hospital for advanced treatment. Following the assault, Koparkhairane police registered a case against the minor for causing grievous hurt and produced him before Juvenile Justice Board for further legal proceedings.

According to the police, the minor boy is a first year graduation student in Thane while the injured Saruk did part time job at construction site and was also preparing for police selection.