Drunk Driver's Rampage at Sangli Festival Leaves 11 Injured, Including Police and Minors
A horrific incident unfolded on Sunday evening at the vibrant Krushnamai festival in Sangli city, where a speeding SUV driven by an intoxicated man ploughed through a crowd, leaving at least eleven people injured. The chaotic scene erupted near the revered Ganapati temple on Tilak Road, casting a shadow over the festive celebrations.
Sequence of Events: From Vehicle Collision to Crowd Panic
According to police reports, the SUV, being used for passenger transport, first collided with multiple vehicles. The driver, identified as 26-year-old Praniket Panchal from Barshi Road in Latur, was reportedly under the influence of alcohol at the time. Medical tests conducted at Sangli Civil Hospital later confirmed his inebriated state.
Inspector Arun Sugaonkar of the Sangli police station provided a detailed account: "The driver could not control the SUV after the initial collisions. As people began chasing him, he panicked and attempted to flee, inadvertently driving into a crowd gathered along the road leading to the river ghat where the festival was ongoing."
Victims and Aftermath: Fractures and Vehicle Damage
The injured included four police personnel who were deployed for bandobast and crowd management duties at the festival venue. Tragically, two minors—a seven-year-old girl and a 14-year-old boy—were also among those hurt. All victims suffered fractures but are reported to be out of danger.
The police estimate that approximately twenty vehicles were damaged in the series of collisions. In the immediate aftermath, an angry mob intercepted the SUV, assaulted Panchal, and caused significant damage to the vehicle, shattering its windshields and headlights.
Legal Proceedings and Driver's Condition
Police personnel rescued the beaten driver and transported him to Sangli Civil Hospital, where he is currently undergoing treatment. Inspector Sugaonkar confirmed that the formal arrest process and court production will commence once medical professionals discharge Panchal from the hospital.
The police have registered a case against Panchal and confiscated the vehicle. This incident highlights severe lapses in road safety during crowded public events and raises critical questions about alcohol consumption by drivers engaged in passenger transport services.
Authorities are investigating whether proper permissions and safety protocols were in place for the festival, which attracts numerous devotees and tourists. The Sangli police have assured the public that stringent action will be taken to prevent such tragedies in the future.
