At least six people were injured, including one critically, after a car, allegedly rashly driven by a police constable, hit three vehicles in Ranjangaon of the Pune district, after which he was accused of being drunk and beaten up by those present in the area. The Pune Rural police have identified the accused constable as Hemant Iname, who is posted with the Ranjangaon Police Station. According to the police, his blood sample has been collected to check if he was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident. The accident took place around 10.30 pm on Sunday in the Ranjangaon industrial cluster, and a First Information Report (FIR) was registered against Iname at the Ranjangaon Police Station on Monday. He is currently being treated at a hospital, and has been detained. "The incident took place when the accused constable was off duty. His car hit two bikes and a rickshaw. Six people have been injured. Injuries of one of them are serious in nature, and he is being treated at a hospital,” said Inspector Mahadev Waghmode, In-charge, Ranjangaon Police Station. “After the incident, the constable was thrashed by some locals and had to be admitted to the hospital. Based on the complaint filed by one of the eyewitnesses, an FIR was registered, and further investigation is on." When asked whether an on-the-spot check of the constable was conducted after the accident to check if he was under the influence of alcohol, Inspector Waghmode said, "We are waiting for the results of the blood tests, and based on the findings, further course of action will be decided. When contacted, Prashant Dhole, Deputy Superintendent of Police, said, "After the constable was admitted to the hospital, his blood sample was collected, and sent for examination to ascertain whether he was under the influence or not." An officer said one of the victims sustained severe injuries on his thigh, adding that his condition was being monitored closely and that the next 24 hours were crucial for him.
