On the evening of May 10, 2025, around 8:45 pm, a black Mahindra Thar lost control and rammed into a row of five two-wheelers parked near Euphoria by Kheliya in Kothrud. The entire incident was captured on CCTV, with footage quickly going viral and fueling public anger over reckless driving in the city.
Fortunately, no one was injured as the bikes were unoccupied at the time of the crash. However, the parked vehicles suffered significant damage. The incident occurred in a busy area near a children’s play zone, raising concerns about potential risks to pedestrians and families. The driver attempted to flee the scene but was soon apprehended by police.
The accused, Rishi Pujari, owner of a local hotel, was detained by Alankar Police soon after the incident. He has been sent for a medical examination to determine if he was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash. A case has been registered under Section 281 (rash driving) and other relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita and the Motor Vehicle Act. Police are reviewing additional CCTV footage to reconstruct the sequence of events and confirm any traffic violations. Eyewitnesses noted that the Thar’s windows were fully blacked out, a violation of traffic norms.
The incident has reignited debate over road safety, enforcement of drunk driving laws, and the dangers posed by high-end vehicles driven recklessly in urban areas. Local residents and parents have called for stricter action, especially since the crash occurred near a place frequented by children.
The crash comes just days after other high-profile accidents in Pune, including a fatal Mercedes crash, and follows ongoing scrutiny of drunk driving after last year’s Porsche accident. Citizens are urging authorities to increase patrolling, enforce stricter penalties for rash and drunk driving, and ensure that traffic laws are upheld, particularly in residential and recreational zones.
