Pune: The tragic Hinjewadi tempo traveler fire case, which resulted in the deaths of four IT employees, has taken a dramatic turn. Initially considered an accident, the incident was later revealed to be a deliberate act of arson carried out by the vehicle’s driver, Janardan Hambardikar.
His motive, as per his confession, was anger over alleged salary deductions and personal grievances with colleagues. However, the employer, Niten Shah, has now come forward to refute these claims, adding a new twist to the case.
Employer Refutes Driver’s Claims of Salary Deduction
Speaking to the media, Vyoma Graphics owner Niten Shah stated that there was no outstanding salary payment to Janardan. “We never withheld a single rupee of his salary. His claims are false,” he asserted.
However, when asked about the possible theft of fuel from the company, Shah responded, “I have no knowledge of whether one or five liters of petrol were stolen. The police are investigating, and we are fully cooperating with them.”
Shah also assured that the injured victims, some of whom had been with the company for over two decades, were receiving proper medical care. “They are like family to us. We are ensuring they get the best treatment,” he added.
The Fire That Shocked Pune’s IT Hub
The incident occurred on the morning of March 19 in Pune’s bustling IT district, Hinjewadi. A tempo traveler ferrying employees suddenly caught fire. The flames quickly engulfed the vehicle, leaving four employees trapped inside, who tragically burned to death. Five others, along with the driver, suffered injuries.
During the police investigation, it was discovered that Janardan Humbardikar harbored resentment towards his employer, believing that his Diwali salary had been unfairly deducted. Additionally, reports suggested that he was also upset with some employees who allegedly refused to share their food with him.
