Car belonging to Shiv Sena leader mows down two girls

Enraged residents of Kare Wagaj village in Baramati tehsil on Thursday torched a sports utility vehicle (SUV) that ploughed into three school going girls, killing two of them on the spot. The mob also help up traffic in the area for a few hours. The incident took place at about 7:30 am on the Baramati-Morgaon road, about 115 km from Pune.

The deceased girls have been identified as Divya Dnyaneshwar Pawar (12) and Samiksha Manoj Vikar(13). The third girl was seriously injured and is currently in hospital.

The SUV which knocked down the girls is allegedly used by local Shiv Sena leader Pappu Mane, but is registered in the name of a relative. A police officer from Baramati taluka police station said, “The investigation is still on whether Mane was behind the wheel. According to preliminary information, three girls were walking towards their school when the car knocked them down.”

Speaking to DNA, additional superintendent of police Sandeep Pakhale said, “We have summoned Mane for questioning. He has said that he was not present in the vehicle when it met with the accident. We are now interrogated him to get the details of the occupants who were present in the vehicle.”

Local police officials said 3-4 persons were in the SUV when the accident happened. The villagers managed to nab one of the occupants and handed over him to the police.

Baramati police have arrested three persons in connection with the accident.