Pune Tanker Accident: NIBM Annexe Residents Plan PIL Against PMC After Footballer Aariz Shaikh’s Death
Mohammadwadi, 6th April 2026: Residents of NIBM Annexe and Mohammadwadi have decided to launch a legal battle against the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and the private water tanker operators following the death of 19-year-old national football player Aariz Shaikh in a tanker-related accident.
The decision comes after Shaikh died in a collision with a water tanker on Sunday, an incident that has triggered strong protests and anger among residents who say the area has long been struggling with heavy tanker movement due to inadequate municipal water supply.
Residents’ representatives said a writ petition is being prepared for filing before the Bombay High Court, alleging that PMC’s failure to provide a reliable water supply network has forced housing societies to depend heavily on private tankers.
Local activist Raj Singh said residents are consulting legal experts to explore filing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL). According to him, the absence of a proper water pipeline network for many years has allowed private tanker operators to dominate the area, leading to a surge in heavy vehicle movement on residential roads. He added that the petition will also seek restrictions on tanker movement during daytime hours in densely populated residential areas.
Another resident, Jaymala Dhankikar, said repeated complaints about reckless driving by tanker operators have gone unaddressed. She alleged that tankers frequently race through narrow internal roads to complete more trips, posing serious risks to pedestrians and motorists. Residents are demanding a comprehensive verification of all tankers operating in the NIBM Annexe–Mohammadwadi corridor.
Some residents are also seeking criminal accountability beyond the tanker driver involved in the accident. Community member Sadik Khan said they intend to request authorities to examine whether the case attracts provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to deaths caused by negligence, and whether responsibility extends to contractors and officials responsible for regulating tanker operations.
Hussain Shaikh, another resident, demanded strict administrative action against those responsible for allowing uncontrolled tanker movement in the locality. He said residents want immediate action against the tanker owner and disciplinary action against officials responsible for the area.
Residents have also raised concerns about rapid urban development in the NIBM Annexe–Mohammadwadi belt without corresponding civic infrastructure. Minoo Irani, a long-time resident, said the roads in the area were never designed to handle the current volume of heavy tanker traffic. She alleged that new residential projects are being approved without ensuring municipal water supply, increasing dependence on tankers.
Pune: 19-Year-Old Dies After Water Tanker Hits Scooter in Mohammadwadi
As part of their legal strategy, residents are planning to seek court intervention to expedite completion of the city’s 24×7 water supply project in the area. They are also considering demands for compensation linked to alleged infrastructure failures, restrictions on heavy tanker movement during peak hours, and an inspection of tanker vehicles by the Regional Transport Office to verify fitness certificates and speed governor compliance.
Meanwhile, residents have planned a candlelight vigil at the accident site on Monday evening to pay tribute to Aariz Shaikh and highlight long-standing safety concerns related to tanker traffic in the locality.
