Pune: Accident Case Involving Dancer Gautami Patil Sparks Outrage; Victim’s Family Warns of Mass Self-Immolation

Pune, 4th October 2025: An accident involving the car of dancer Gautami Patil has triggered a major controversy in Pune, with the family of the injured rickshaw driver alleging a cover-up and warning of mass self-immolation if justice is not served.

According to police, on September 30, rickshaw driver Samaji Margade was standing near a rickshaw stand in Vadgaon Budruk when a car linked to Gautami Patil hit his vehicle, leaving him seriously injured. Margade is currently undergoing treatment at Dinanath Mangeshkar Hospital. The driver of the car fled the scene but has since been arrested by the Sinhagad Road Police.

However, the Margade family has demanded that the police also take action against Gautami Patil herself, alleging attempts to suppress the case. They have also sought action against individuals who they claim tried to destroy evidence.

Former MLA and Shiv Sena leader Ravindra Dhangekar met officials at the Sinhagad Road Police Station on Saturday and demanded a thorough investigation. “If Gautami Patil is involved, she must be made a co-accused. Those who tried to tamper with evidence must also face action,” he said, adding that Patil has not yet been questioned.

BJP leader and Minister Chandrakant Patil has also intervened in the matter. According to the family, he spoke with Deputy Commissioner of Police Sambhaji Kadam and directed that strict action be taken against the culprits.

Speaking to reporters, Santosh Margade, brother of the injured driver, accused the police of bias and warned of drastic steps. “Efforts are being made to save the culprits. The police are not cooperating with us. If we do not get justice, our entire family will commit self-immolation outside the Sinhagad police station,” he said.

The police have stated that the investigation is ongoing and that all angles of the case are being examined.