Tragic Khandala Ghat Crash: Lawyer, Daughter Among 3 Dead; 14 Injured on Old Pune-Mumbai Highway
Pune, April 21, 2025:
In a devastating road accident late Sunday night, a Pune-based lawyer, his 10-year-old daughter, and his sister-in-law lost their lives, while 14 others were injured when a speeding truck with alleged brake failure rammed into four vehicles in the Khandala Ghat section of the old Pune-Mumbai highway.
The deceased have been identified as Nilesh Sanjay Lagad (42), a resident of Sadashiv Peth, his daughter Shravya, and his sister-in-law Priya Sagar Ingulkar (35) from Shukrawar Peth. While Lagad and Shravya died on the spot, Priya succumbed to her injuries in a private hospital in Lonavala. The other injured victims are undergoing treatment at various hospitals in Lonavala.
The Tragic Sequence of Events
According to the Pune Rural Police, the fatal incident occurred near the Battery Hill area of the Khandala Ghat section around 10:15 PM. The truck, en route from Pune to Mumbai, reportedly suffered a brake failure, causing it to first hit an Innova from behind. The impact pushed the Innova into the oncoming car carrying Lagad’s family, which was heading to Pune from Alibag after a family picnic.
The truck didn’t stop there—it proceeded to collide with two more vehicles, including a Tata Punch and an autorickshaw, before coming to a halt after hitting a rock wall. The driver fled the scene immediately after the accident.
Victims and Journey
Lagad’s car carried a total of 10 people, including his wife, three children (one of whom was Shravya), his sister-in-law Priya, her husband and son, and two other relatives’ children. Seven others injured in the crash were travelling in a different car and were returning from a wedding in Alandi to their hometown of Bhiwandi in Thane district.
Authorities reported severe congestion in the area post-accident, which was cleared swiftly by the police. A First Information Report (FIR) has been registered at the Lonavala City Police Station, and further investigations are underway. The truck will be inspected by an RTO expert to verify the brake failure claim.
Unsafe Stretch Raises Concerns
The accident has brought attention to the dangerous nature of the old Pune-Mumbai highway, especially the Battery Hill stretch, which lacks a median despite heavy traffic. Although reflectors are installed for night visibility, the absence of a physical lane divider is seen as a critical safety lapse.
This tragic incident has sparked public concern and highlighted the urgent need for safety upgrades and stricter vehicle inspection protocols on this heavily used mountain highway stretch.
