Pune: Drunk IT Professional Rams Car Into Valet Counter in Kalyani Nagar; Worker Killed
Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Kalyani Nagar, 30th November 2025: A valet parking assistant lost his life after being hit by a car allegedly driven by a drunk IT professional outside a popular resto-bar in Kalyani Nagar on Sunday night. Pune Police have registered a case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder against the driver and taken him into custody.
The accused has been identified as 49-year-old IT professional Pratap Dhaygude, a resident of Dhanori. The victim, Satyendra Mandal, worked as a valet parking assistant at Toit Pune, a well-known restaurant and bar in the upscale neighbourhood.
According to police officials, Dhaygude arrived at the restaurant in an intoxicated condition and consumed beer. As his behaviour raised concern, the staff refused to serve him further drinks and offered to arrange a cab. He allegedly declined their help, walked out, and got into his car parked outside the restaurant.
A preliminary investigation indicates that Dhaygude lost control of his vehicle while attempting to drive, ramming the car into the parking counter. Mandal, who was standing behind the counter, was pinned and severely injured.
Restaurant staff rushed to help the injured youth. He was immediately taken to the hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
Police personnel from Yerwada Police Station responded promptly after receiving the alert and detained the accused driver. Witnesses said the suspect kept insisting he was a “good man” even as he was being taken away by officers.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 4) Somay Munde confirmed to Punekar News that a serious offence has been registered. “An FIR for culpable homicide is being registered,” he said.
Senior Police Inspector Anjum Bagwan, in charge of Yerwada Police Station, said the accused will be produced before the court on Monday.
The incident has once again brought the spotlight to Pune’s growing drunk driving menace, especially near popular nightlife hotspots like Kalyani Nagar, Koregaon Park, and Baner. Despite multiple crackdowns and awareness drives, cases involving rash and negligent driving under the influence continue to claim innocent lives.
Police officials added that further investigation is underway, including CCTV footage examination, medical reports, and eyewitness statements.
