NAGPUR: A luxury Audi Q8, owned by Sanket Bawankule, the son of Maharashtra BJP president Chandrashekar Bawankule, caused a series of collisions in Nagpur on Monday after speeding away from an upscale pub. The car reportedly triggered a pile-up at 12:30 a.m. in the Ramdaspeth area, where it hit three cars and a scooter before crashing into another vehicle 6 km away in Mankapur. The incident left two people injured and sparked a police investigation.
Police arrested Arjun Haore, an engineer who was driving the Audi, along with his businessman friend, Ronit Chinthamwar. Both are reportedly close friends of Sanket. Zonal DCP Rahul Madne confirmed that blood samples of the two men were sent for forensic analysis to determine if alcohol was involved.
Speculation arose after reports suggested Sanket Bawankule may have been in the car during the 10 km chaotic drive but fled the scene before the final crash. However, senior police officials denied Sanket’s presence, stating he was not involved in the incident.
Concerns have been raised over the investigation after it was revealed that the Audi’s registration plates were found dismantled and concealed under the seat. Additionally, the initial FIR omitted both Sanket’s name and the car’s registration number, further fueling doubts about the police’s handling of the case.
CCTV footage showed the Audi speeding away from a bar in Dharampeth and crashing into multiple vehicles during a 2 km drive before hitting a car on the Mankapur flyover. Press Club employee Jeetendra Sonkamble’s vehicle was among those damaged in the Ramdaspeth pile-up.
As the car continued speeding, it collided with yet another vehicle on the Mankapur flyover, drawing the attention of local Ganesha Mandal devotees. The mob, along with some of the injured, pursued the car, eventually intercepting it. The two occupants were dragged out, beaten, and transported to Timki, 6 km from Mankapur. Police from the Tehsil station intervened and took the men to a hospital.
Despite the serious nature of the incident, senior inspector Chandrashekhar Chakate downplayed the crash, calling it a “kirkol ghatna” or “trivial incident.” However, Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrashekar Bawankule emphasized that the law should apply equally to all, urging a fair and transparent investigation into the matter.
Authorities are continuing their investigation while questions remain over potential lapses in police procedure.
