The city of Nagpur was struck by tragedy within 24 hours as two separate hit-and-run accidents claimed the lives of three individuals, prompting swift action from local police authorities. The incidents, which occurred on consecutive days, have highlighted grave concerns over road safety and reckless driving on the city's highways and outskirts.
First Accident on Bhandara-Nagpur Highway
The first fatal collision took place on November 30 at approximately 4:55 PM. The location was the Bhandara-Nagpur Highway near a petrol pump, falling under the jurisdiction of the Pardi police station. Mahadev Pimpalghare, a 51-year-old resident of Gulshan Nagar, was riding his TVS Scooty (registration MH31W817) when a speeding Tata container truck (GJ06BT0510) rammed into his vehicle from behind.
The truck driver did not stop to offer assistance and fled the scene immediately. Seriously injured, Pimpalghare was rushed to Mayo Hospital for emergency treatment. Unfortunately, doctors at the hospital declared him dead during the course of treatment.
Following the incident, a formal complaint was lodged by Harish Ninave, 22, the victim's son-in-law from Kinkhede Layout, Yashodhara Nagar. Based on this complaint, the Pardi police have registered a case against the unidentified truck driver. The charges include sections 281 (rash driving), 106(1) (causing death by negligence), and 125(B) of the Indian Penal Code, alongside relevant sections of the Motor Vehicle Act. Police are actively investigating the details of the truck involved.
Second Tragedy Near Gumgaon
In a heartbreaking repeat of events, a second hit-and-run occurred the very next day, December 1, at around 7:20 PM. This accident happened near Gumgaon, under the limits of the Hingna police station. Three friends were traveling together on a single motorcycle (MH49BG1820) towards Butibori MIDC.
The victims have been identified as Rameshwar Longadge, 37, from Rukhmini Nagar, Hudkeshwar; Puneet Ramteke, 37; and Suraj Raut, 32, both from Sanjay Gandhi Nagar. Reports indicate that an unknown four-wheeler, moving at high speed, struck their motorcycle from behind near a speed breaker. The driver of the four-wheeler escaped from the location without stopping.
The impact of the collision was severe. Rameshwar Longadge and Suraj Raut succumbed to their injuries at AIIMS Hospital. Puneet Ramteke survived the crash. The FIR in this case was filed by Moreshwar, 34, the brother of deceased Rameshwar.
Police Action and Legal Framework
The Hingna police have taken up the investigation and charged the absconding driver under the newly implemented Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The specific sections invoked are BNS 281, 106(1), and 125(A), along with relevant sections from the procedural code. These charges mirror the seriousness of the offence, focusing on rash driving and negligence leading to death.
The back-to-back incidents have sent shockwaves through the local communities in Nagpur. They underscore a persistent menace on Indian roads: hit-and-run cases where drivers show a blatant disregard for human life by fleeing the scene. Such actions not only compound the tragedy for grieving families but also pose a significant challenge for law enforcement agencies tasked with identifying and apprehending the culprits.
The police investigations in both cases are ongoing. Authorities are likely scrutinizing CCTV footage from the accident zones and nearby areas, as well as gathering eyewitness accounts, to trace the vehicles and their drivers. The outcomes of these probes are eagerly awaited by the victims' families seeking justice.
