A tragic incident occurred in Nagpur early Saturday when a 72-year-old yoga teacher, Mangala Kewate, lost her life after being struck by a speeding white SUV at Barlinge Chowk in the Dharampeth area. She was on her regular morning walk when the vehicle hit her, tossing her into the air before she was crushed under the wheels.
Incident Details
Mangala, a resident of Khare Town in Dharampeth, was a well-known yoga instructor who regularly visited a nearby shrine to teach asanas. Around 6 am, she left home for her yoga classes at Gajanan Maharaj Mandir in Zenda Chowk. Her son, Lochan, a BSNL employee, and his wife were also out for a morning walk when they noticed a crowd and heavy police presence near Sugandh Mangal Office at Barlinge Chowk.
Lochan was stunned to see his mother lying motionless on the road. With police assistance, he rushed her to a hospital, but doctors declared her dead on arrival. In his complaint to Sitabuldi police, Lochan stated the sequence of events.
Police Investigation
Acting swiftly on CCTV footage and the vehicle registration number, police traced the Innova to Seoni in Madhya Pradesh. The owner of the vehicle reportedly stated that he had lent the car to someone for a day, and that person drove it to Nagpur. Investigations are underway to identify and arrest the driver.
A case has been registered against the SUV driver under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Motor Vehicles Act for rash and reckless driving causing death.
Community Shock
The incident sent shock waves across Dharampeth and Khare Town, where Mangala Kewate was a familiar face due to her dedication to yoga. Family members described her as an active and energetic woman who continued to pursue her passion even at 72.
Senior inspector Vithal Singh Rajput of Sitabuldi police station said, "The driver fled with the vehicle and reached Seoni. After parking the vehicle, he fled from there too. But we urged the vehicle owner to ensure the driver presents himself before police for investigation, or we will track him down very soon."
Sitabuldi police are examining more CCTV footage and gathering eyewitness accounts to piece together the events leading to the tragedy.
