In a late-night incident, the driver of a luxury Audi car owned by Sanket Bawankule, son of Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule, was arrested after the vehicle collided with multiple vehicles in Nagpur. The driver, identified as Arjun Hawre, was apprehended by Nagpur police and later released on bail, as confirmed by a senior police official.
The mishap occurred in the early hours of Monday, prompting Jitendra Sonkamble, whose vehicle was among those struck, to file a complaint. The official from Sitabuldi police station disclosed that no action has yet been taken against Sanket Bawankule or two other occupants who allegedly fled the scene at Mankapur bridge.
According to the police, the incident happened as the car occupants were returning from a beer bar in Dharampeth. Medical examinations, including blood alcohol tests, are part of the ongoing probe. “We are scrutinizing CCTV footage to understand the sequence of events, which will guide further action against all involved parties,” added the official.
The accident chain began when the Audi hit Sonkamble’s car, subsequently colliding with a moped, injuring two youths. The rampage continued as the car struck more vehicles, finally coming to a halt near Mankapur bridge after hitting a Polo car. The Polo car occupants pursued and stopped the Audi, handing over Hawre and another occupant, Ronit Chittamwar, to the police.
Chandrashekhar Bawankule has acknowledged that the car is registered to his son Sanket. The situation has sparked political reactions, with Congress MLA Vijay Wadettiwar, Leader of Opposition in the assembly, demanding an impartial investigation. He criticized BJP leaders for being “high on power and money.”
The Nagpur police continue to investigate the incident comprehensively to establish liability and ensure justice.
