'Driver used benzene to cause fire': Pune Police on minibus tragedy which killed 4 office-goers

The driver, identified as Janardan Hambardikar, set the traveler on fire. (Screengrab)

Four people of a printing press firm were killed and 10 injured after a tempo traveller ferrying the employees was allegedly set on fire by the driver on Wednesday morning in the Hinjewadi IT park area of Pune, Maharashtra.

The injured, who were occupying the front seats, managed to escape quickly while four were charred to death.

#Pune #Maharastra: A private Company bus carrying employees caught fire near #Hinjewadi Phase 2 this morning4 people dead and 5 seriously injured.There was a malfunction in the engine and the doors didn't open properly for the employees to run. pic.twitter.com/j5b4bp40Hn
Siraj Noorani (@sirajnoorani) March 19, 2025

The driver, identified as Janardan Hambardikar, set the traveler on fire due to workplace disputes and unpaid wages, according to ANI.

DCP (Zone 2 Pimpri-Chinchwad), Vishal Gaikwad said, "In the investigation of the fire incident involving a tempo traveler at Hinjawadi police station jurisdiction, in which four people died, a breakthrough has been made. It was found that the driver, Janardan Hambardikar, is the accused and premeditated the crime. He used a chemical, benzene, which he applied to cause the fire and explosion, resulting in the vehicle burning and the death of four people."

According to a fire brigade official from Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation, the fire spread rapidly from the front to the back, giving no time to the employees who managed to escape to rescue those who were trapped inside. The fire was later doused.

A police official revealed the results of the preliminary probe into the incident saying that some employees failed to evict themselves after the exit door at the back did not open. This resulted in four of them being charred to death, PTI reported.

(With inputs from agencies)