Pune: Satish Nikam, a retired Police Inspector from Pune police department has been arrested on charges of causing death of a person while injuring three others while driving his car in an inebriated condition. The accident took place at Mamata Chowk on Balewadi High Street area on Sunday afternoon at around 1pm. The impact of the accident was such that the speeding car in possession of Nikam, dragged a two-wheeler for about 100 metres before ramming into a puncture shop and then hitting another tempo.

The deceased has been identified as Santosh Rathod (35) a resident of Kalewadi. The injured have been identified as Rajesh Singh (37), resident of Tathawade, Anand Bhandwalkar (35), and Dashrath Mane, both residents of Baner. One person received minor injuries.

Nikam was travelling in his car from Balewadi High Street at around 1 pm on Sunday. Nikam was in an inebriated condition and lost control of his car and hit one two-wheeler. The rider and pillion fell down from the bike. However, the two-wheeler got stuck in the car and the car dragged the two-wheeler for about 100 metres. The car did not slow down even after the initial impact. Finally, the car in Nikam's possession rammed into a puncture shop on the side of the road in Mamta Chowk and later hit a car parked at a nearby tempo.

Meanwhile, the three persons in the puncture shop could not get out immediately and received injuries in the accident. One person on the bike died on the spot, while another was seriously injured. After this incident, the citizens nabbed Nikam and gave him a thrashing. Also, locals rushed the injured to a private hospital. As soon as information about this incident was received, the Chatuhshrungi police rushed to the spot. Assistant Police Inspector Sameer Chavan, Police Sub Inspector Mohan Jadhav, Datta Shinde and Naik Bangude rescued Nikam from the mob and took him into custody.

Ronak Gote, an eyewitness said, “The speeding car hit the citizens before our eyes. Unfortunately, one of them died. The drunk driver caused this accident.”

Meena Pargaonkar, another eye-witness said, “There have been a series of major and minor accidents at this stretch. Some of them have lost their lives in these accidents. Therefore, the administration should also try to control the speed of vehicles by installing speed bumps on this road.”