Home / Disasters and Accidents / Pune Residents Demand Accountability After Elderly Man's Tragic Death
Pune Residents Demand Accountability After Elderly Man's Tragic Death
4 Aug
Summary
- Police registered case against woman driver, despite CCTV showing moderate speed
- Residents criticize police for not charging municipal corporation for road conditions
- Accident occurred on July 30, 2 years after similar incident at nearby roundabout
On July 30, 2023, a tragic accident occurred in Pune's Aundh area that has sparked outrage among local residents. A 73-year-old man, Jagannath Kale, lost his life after his scooter skidded on an uneven patch of the road and was struck by a passing car.
The police have registered a case of causing death by negligence against the woman driver of the car, despite CCTV footage showing her vehicle was moving at a moderate speed and nearly parallel to Kale's scooter. Residents have strongly criticized this decision, arguing that the real culprit is the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), which they believe is responsible for the poor road conditions that led to the accident.
According to local residents, Kale's scooter skidded due to a gap between the road and the pavement, a problem that has plagued the area for years. In fact, a similar incident occurred two years ago when a woman riding with her child also skidded at a nearby roundabout due to the uneven surface. Residents say the PMC must be held accountable for such civic negligence.
The police have acknowledged that the CCTV footage does not support their initial theory that the woman driver failed to maintain a safe distance. However, they have stated that they will continue their investigation and take any necessary corrective action. Meanwhile, the residents are demanding that the PMC be charged with culpable homicide for its role in the tragic incident.
