Hinjewadi Bus Fire: CCTV Footage Raised Suspicions of Sabotage by Driver
Pune: CCTV footage released by the police on Thursday has shed light on the minibus fire that raised suspicions due to its ferocity. The footage captured a fireball engulfing the vehicle, which was carrying 14 people, including driver Janardhan Hambardikar (56). Police alleged that benzene, a known accelerant often used in arson cases, was used by Hambardikar to ignite the blaze.
Hinjewadi Bus Fire: CCTC footage, ferocity of the fire and survivor accounts aroused suspicion of sabotage by the driver who was upset over Diwali bonus and decided to take revenge#hinjewadi #Pune #punecrime #punenews pic.twitter.com/cBBFI9urJT
— PuneNow (@itspunenow) March 21, 2025
A Company bus carrying employees caught fire near Hinjewadi Phase 2 this morning
— Curly Jeevi (@curlykrazy07) March 19, 2025
4 ppl dead and 5 seriously injured. There was a malfunction in the engine and the doors didn’t open properly for the employees to run.
Can’t even imagine the plight of the families of those who… pic.twitter.com/pal8AGbK6i
The Pimpri Chinchwad police stated that the fire was unlikely caused by mechanical or electrical issues. Deputy Commissioner of Police Vishal Gaikwad revealed that inputs from the regional transport office, the vehicle manufacturer, and surviving staffers pointed to sabotage as the probable cause.
🚨 Shocking Revelation: The Hinjawadi bus fire that killed 4 & injured several was a deliberate act of revenge by the driver, Janardan Hambardikar. Watch Pimpri Chinchwad DCP Vishal Gaikwad explain the motive & details behind this tragic incident#Pune #punenews #hinjewadi pic.twitter.com/j7PpRtN6vv
— PuneNow (@itspunenow) March 21, 2025
Investigations are also focusing on whether the vehicle’s rear door, which failed to open during the emergency, was tampered with. “We are checking if this had any connection to Hambardikar’s plot,” said Gaikwad. Additionally, police are probing Hambardikar’s relationship with other employees and verifying his claims that he was often assigned tasks beyond his driving responsibilities, which he reportedly disliked.
The case remains under investigation as authorities work to uncover the full details behind the incident.
