Pune: Driver Booked For Culpable Homicide In Accident That Killed 10 Near Chakan (VIDEO)

Chakan: The driver of the pick-up van has been booked by Pimpri-Chinchwad Police for alleged negligence and rash driving, which resulted in the death of 10 people. The incident happened on Monday morning when a group of around 35 people was going to the Kundeshwar Temple in Khed Taluka.

The driver has been identified as Rushikesh Ramdas Karande (age 25, resident of Pait).

He has been detained, and a case has been registered against him under the BNS sections 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 281 (rash driving or riding on a public way), 125 (act endangering life or personal safety of others), and other relevant sections of the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988. 

Sources within the police department said nobody was ready to file a case because they had suffered losses. Police even considered filing a case on their own, but then the daughter of deceased Sharda Chorghe, Siddhika (aged 21, resident of Pait), came forward and filed a complaint against the driver.

The complaint says that on Monday, due to Shravan Somwar, many villagers of Papalwadi were going to Kundeshwar's Lord Shiva Temple.

The accused, however, in his pick-up, overloaded with passengers. The passengers inside were really uncomfortable, and there were children on the roof of the vehicle too. Also, in the rear cabin, there were people all crammed inside.

Allegedly, the driver, despite knowing the risky ghat road full of turns, drove rashly, resulting in him losing control and the pick-up van falling 25–30 feet deep into a pit. 

Seven women died on the spot, two women and one man died during treatment. The FIR says the driver is responsible for 10 deaths and other injuries. The driver was detained late Monday night after the accident.  

Police Inspector (Crime) Anil Devde is investigating the matter further. He told the Free Press Journal, "We have detained the driver. The death count is 10. Some are still injured, exact number not known. We will produce the accused in court this afternoon. Then we will take the next appropriate action. The driver had proper documentation and licenses." 

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 3) Bapu Bangar said, "Around 40 people were traveling in the pick-up van when the accident happened. Ten people have died, and 30 are injured and undergoing treatment at multiple hospitals. A case has been registered against driver Rushikesh Karande, and Mahalunge MIDC Police are investigating the matter further."