BJP Leader's Mother Seriously Injured in Pune Petrol Pump Hit-and-Run Incident
In a distressing incident that has drawn significant attention, Yasmeen Poonawalla, the 75-year-old mother of prominent BJP leader Shehzaad Poonawalla and his brother Tehseen Poonawalla, was seriously injured in a hit-and-run accident at a petrol pump in Pune. The incident occurred on February 3, when Yasmeen was standing inside the BPCL petrol pump at RTO chowk while CNG was being refilled in her car.
CCTV Footage Reveals Shocking Details of the Accident
According to available CCTV footage, the elderly woman was standing calmly near her vehicle when an SUV suddenly reversed some distance and knocked her down. The footage clearly shows the moment of impact, highlighting the sudden and violent nature of the collision. The driver of the SUV, identified as Hemant Chandgude (40), an engineer employed in the city, was subsequently detained by authorities.
Police Action and Legal Charges Filed Against Driver
The Bund Garden Police Station registered an FIR against the driver under multiple sections, including:
- BNS 281 for rash driving or driving on a public way
- BNS 125 B for an act endangering life or personal safety of others
- The Motor Vehicles Act section 134 A regarding the duty of a driver in case of an accident and injury to a person
Police Inspector Santosh Pandhare provided details about the case, stating, "There is no previous case lodged against the driver other than another accident. He is an engineer employed in the city. He says that he could not see the aged lady behind him at all and that caused the accident. We detained him and served notice." The driver was released after being served notice on February 4.
Political Intervention and Family's Response
The incident gained political traction when Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis intervened, instructing senior police officials to take immediate action. The official account of Devendra Fadnavis's office responded to a social media post by Shehzaad Poonawalla, writing on February 4, "This is very unfortunate. CM Devendra Fadnavis has given necessary instructions to Senior Police officials of State and Pune. CM also spoke to @Shehzad_Ind in detail and wished her a speedy recovery."
On social media platform X, Tehseen Poonawalla expressed his anguish, writing, "My mom a senior citizen went for a drive with my driver and executive assistant & was waiting on the side while they were tanking up the gas in our car, someone just hit her (seems deliberate) and ran away!" He further revealed that the fall had broken her hip, necessitating immediate surgery. "She would be undergoing hip surgery and have to have a rod inserted for life," he added, highlighting the severe and long-term impact of the injury.
Medical Condition and Ongoing Developments
Yasmeen Poonawalla is currently undergoing medical treatment for her injuries. The family has confirmed that she will be undergoing surgery for the hip fracture sustained during the accident. The medical procedure is critical, as it involves inserting a rod to support her hip, which will have lifelong implications for her mobility and health.
The case continues to be under investigation by the Bund Garden police, with authorities examining all aspects of the incident to ensure justice is served. The involvement of high-profile political figures has added a layer of public scrutiny to the proceedings, emphasizing the need for a thorough and transparent investigation.
