Pune: 4 booked for death of 2 youths by electrocution

Police said the Mim Boys Young Friend Circle was granted permission for taking out a procession to mark the birth anniversary of Prophet Mohammad from Wadgaonsheri area on September 22. But the group allegedly violated norms by installing the music system with an LED screen at a height beyond stipulated limits on a wooden stage and a metallic frame on a tractor trolley in the procession, police said.

During the procession, 17-year old Abhay Waghmare of Wadeshwar Nagar, Wadgaonsheri, was waving a flag affixed to an iron pipe while standing on the metallic frame on the tractor.

Around 10.30 am, when the procession was passing through the vegetable market in Wadgaon Sheri, the iron pipe in the flag touched an overhead high tension electricity cable. Waghmare and Zaki Bilal Shaikh (20) who were standing on the tractor received a severe electric shock, causing their deaths.

Following an inquiry, the police booked the president of the Mim Boys Young Friend Circle along with Kamble, Lavand and Date on charges of negligence—setting up a stage and installing a sound system with an LED screen on the tractor, without taking essential precautions.

Police are investigating the case further.