Pune: Woman Drives Through Police Barricades on Palkhi Route; Video Goes Viral
Alandi, 10th July 2026: A woman allegedly drove her car through police barricades on the designated Palkhi route in Pimpri Chinchwad after a heated argument with police personnel enforcing traffic restrictions for the Ashadhi Wari procession. A video of the incident has gone viral on social media, prompting an inquiry by the Alandi police.
The incident occurred on Wednesday as the palkhis of Sant Tukaram Maharaj from Dehu and Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj from Alandi began their annual journey towards Pandharpur.
In view of the large number of warkaris participating in the pilgrimage, the Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad police had imposed traffic diversions and restricted vehicular movement along the Palkhi route, urging commuters to use alternative roads.
According to preliminary information, the woman, who reportedly runs a driving school, insisted on taking her car along the restricted route despite being informed about the traffic curbs. Police personnel directed her to use an alternative route, but she allegedly refused and got into a verbal altercation with them.
Eyewitnesses said the woman repeatedly argued with the police, claiming she had driving lessons scheduled and could not afford to delay them. In the viral video, she can be heard saying, “Is only your work important? I have to teach people how to drive. I have taken money from them. Let me go, or put me in jail if you want.”
The video also shows the woman lying down on the road in protest for a brief period before returning to her car. She then allegedly drove through the police barricades and entered the restricted Palkhi route despite repeated warnings from police personnel. The footage further shows her continuing to drive after crossing the barricades, briefly raising security concerns along the pilgrimage route.
The incident occurred amid heightened security arrangements for the annual pilgrimage, during which police had erected barricades and deployed additional personnel to ensure the safe passage of the Palkhi processions and thousands of devotees.
Police said the matter is under investigation. According to available information, the Alandi police have initiated an inquiry into the incident, and appropriate legal action will be taken based on the findings of the investigation.
