Pune: In the aftermath of a deadly road accident in Pune’s Gangadham Chowk area, a local court has remanded both the truck driver and the vehicle’s owner to police custody until June 14. The accident, which occurred around 11:15 AM on Wednesday in the Market Yard locality, claimed the life of a woman who was riding pillion on a two-wheeler that was struck by the truck.
Authorities have identified the driver as Shaukat Ali Papalal Hulkundi (51), a resident of Bhavani Peth and Kondhwa’s Shivnerinagar, and the truck’s owner as Gokul Chandrakant Jawalkar (42) from Mohannagar, Dhankawadi. A formal complaint has been filed at the Market Yard Police Station, invoking applicable sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Motor Vehicles Act, including provisions related to death by negligence.
To ascertain whether alcohol consumption played a role in the incident, a blood sample from the driver has been sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory. Meanwhile, the Regional Transport Office (RTO) is conducting an inspection of the vehicle.
During the court proceedings held on Thursday afternoon, it was revealed that the accident occurred despite restrictions on heavy vehicle movement on the stretch between Gangadham Chowk and Aai Mata Road from 7 AM to 10 PM. Driver Hulkundi reportedly admitted that he was directed by owner Jawalkar to take the restricted route.
Due to these revelations, investigators have emphasized the need to question both individuals together. Inspector Sunita Navale, who is leading the investigation, and Public Prosecutor Bhagyashree Dagale-Sancheti, argued in court for extended police custody, which the court approved.
The police are now awaiting the forensic test results to determine whether the driver was intoxicated at the time of the incident, while further interrogation is expected to clarify the sequence of events and assess accountability.
