A tragic incident unfolded in the early hours of Wednesday in Dhule district, where a 40-year-old man was found dead inside his completely charred car. The shocking discovery was made near Khamkheda, close to Shirpur taluka, sending waves of grief through the local community.
Discovery of the Charred Vehicle
The body of Chandrakant Dhivre, a resident of Khamkheda near Shirpur, was recovered from the burnt-out shell of his car around 5 am. Dhivre, who worked as a driver by profession, was currently living in Surat but frequently visited his native village where he owned land. According to police, he would typically make the trip once a week or every fortnight.
The sequence of events leading to the tragedy began on Tuesday night when Dhivre contacted his family members. He informed them that he was on his way home by car. However, the journey ended catastrophically just a few hundred meters away from his village.
Police Investigation and Initial Findings
Local villagers first reported hearing a loud noise around 4:30 am. Approximately half an hour later, at 5 am, some villagers noticed the car engulfed in flames and immediately alerted the Shirpur police. A team from the Shirpur police station swiftly arrived at the scene and registered a case of accidental death.
Inspector Kishor Pardeshi of the Shirpur police station provided details to the media. "The car was completely charred," he stated. "By the time our team arrived, only the skeleton was left." The initial investigation points to a grim possibility. Inspector Pardeshi added that Dhivre was known to be a heavy drinker. There is a suspicion that he may have been under the influence of alcohol during the incident, which could have impaired his ability to escape the blazing vehicle in time.
Forensic Probe and Ongoing Inquiries
Authorities are piecing together the final moments. From the position of the driver's seat, it appears Dhivre might have been sleeping inside the car when the fire broke out. This detail raises critical questions about the cause of the blaze and the victim's state of awareness.
To determine the exact cause of the accident, forensic experts and officials from the Regional Transport Office (RTO) conducted a thorough inspection of the site. Their analysis will be crucial in confirming whether the fire was caused by a mechanical failure, an electrical short circuit, or any other factor. The police are continuing their investigation while awaiting official reports from the forensic team.
The untimely death of Chandrakant Dhivre has left his family and the community in shock, underscoring the dangers associated with long-distance travel and vehicle safety.