Tragic Accident in Nashik Claims Nine Lives, Including Six Children
A horrific accident in Dindori, approximately 25 kilometers from Nashik city, resulted in the deaths of nine members of a single family late Friday evening. The tragedy unfolded at around 10 PM when the family's multi-purpose vehicle plunged into a large well located directly at the end of a concrete road.
Details of the Fatal Incident
The family had been attending a get-together at a nearby coaching center where some of the children were enrolled. They were returning home in their vehicle when the driver, apparently unfamiliar with the area, failed to spot the well in the darkness. The safety wall surrounding the well is reported to be barely a foot high, making the structure difficult to see at night.
Rescue operations were immediately launched, but it took teams a full two hours to recover all the bodies and pull the vehicle from the well. Local residents noted that those who know the area typically avoid the hazard by turning left from the concrete road and taking a 'kucha' path around the well to reach the other side.
Victims Identified and Legal Action Initiated
The deceased have been identified as:
- Sunil Dargude (32)
- Reshma Dargude (27)
- Asha Dargude (32)
- Khushi Dargude (14)
- Madhuri Dargude (13)
- Shreyas Dargude (11)
- Rakhi (Gunvanti) Dargude (11)
- Shravani Dargude (11)
- Samruddhi Dargude (7)
Based on a complaint filed by a family member, the Dindori police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against the car driver, Sunil Dargude, and the owner of the well, Rajendra Raje. The charges include sections 106(1) for causing death due to negligence, 281 for rash and negligent driving, and 324(5) for mischief under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with relevant sections of the Motor Vehicles Act.
Community Reaction and Investigation
Inspector Bhagwan Mathure stated that local villagers are agitated and angry with the landowner, Rajendra Raje. Sensing the public mood, Raje fled the village with his family on the same night of the accident. Police efforts are currently underway to trace him for necessary legal proceedings.
A sombre atmosphere has enveloped Indore village, where the Dargude family resided. Deepak Dhatrak, a relative and fellow villager, described the family as farmers whose children typically traveled 6 kilometers to Dindori for school and coaching via a school van. On the day of the tragedy, the children had dressed up specially for the coaching center function.
"This is the first time in our village's history that nine funeral pyres have been lit at once," Dhatrak added, highlighting the profound impact of the loss on the close-knit community.
The incident underscores serious concerns about road safety and infrastructure maintenance in rural areas, particularly regarding poorly marked hazards that pose lethal risks, especially during nighttime travel.
