Pune: Murder Case Filed Against Driver for Tempo Traveller Fire in Hinjawadi
Pune, 21st March 2025: The driver of a Tempo Traveller that caught fire in Pune’s Hinjawadi area, killing four and injuring five, has been charged with murder and attempted murder. The case initially thought to be an accident, was revealed to be a deliberate act of sabotage by the driver, Janardan Hambardikar. The Hinjawadi Police have registered a case against Hambardikar, who had been nursing grudges against some employees due to ongoing disputes and dissatisfaction with his treatment at work.
According to police reports, Hambardikar had been experiencing constant quarrels with his colleagues and was unhappy about being asked to perform tasks beyond his driving duties. Additionally, he was upset over not receiving his Diwali salary and being treated poorly by some employees. This combination of grievances led him to orchestrate the tragic event. Hambardikar had planned the act by storing benzene and rags in the bus a day earlier. On the day of the incident, he ignited the rags using a matchstick, causing a rapid spread of fire that engulfed the vehicle.
The incident occurred on Wednesday morning when the bus was en route to the Vyoma Graphics office in Hinjewadi. Hambardikar jumped out of the moving bus, which continued for some distance before crashing into a curb. The police investigation revealed that the emergency exit door was faulty, preventing some passengers from escaping. Hambardikar is currently undergoing treatment for minor injuries and will be formally arrested once discharged.
