Pune: RTO and Labour Commissioner Launch Investigation into Hinjawadi Bus Fire
Pune, 21st March 2025: In the aftermath of the tragic bus fire in Hinjawadi, Pune, which claimed four lives and injured several others, officials from the Regional Transport Office (RTO) and the Labour Commissioner’s office conducted a joint inspection at Vyoma Graphics, the company whose employees were affected. The investigation aims to uncover the circumstances surrounding the incident and assess the company’s compliance with safety and labour regulations.
The police investigation has revealed that the driver, Janardan Hambardikar, allegedly set the bus ablaze using benzene due to grievances over reduced wages during Diwali and mistreatment by coworkers. However, Vyoma Graphics owner Nitin Shah has refuted these claims, stating that Hambardikar’s salary was not delayed and that the company is cooperating fully with the police investigation.
The RTO is also examining whether the bus’s doors were locked, which could have hindered escape efforts. Senior Police Inspector Kanhaiyya Thorat of Hinjawadi Police Station noted that further investigations are ongoing to clarify these details.
The incident has raised concerns about transport safety and labour disputes, prompting the RTO to initiate a safety compliance inspection drive across company-operated and private buses in the region. The Labour Commissioner’s office is closely monitoring the situation, as the company remains closed following the tragedy, and all eyes are on the potential actions that may be taken against Vyoma Graphics.
