Pune IT hub minibus fire: Police arrest driver who started fire

Police inspector Hrushikesh Ghadage produced Humbardikar before the court of judicial magistrate first class (JMFC) V P Khandare in Pune. Assistant public prosecutor Vijaysinh Jadhav sought his police custody for three days for further investigation.

The police submitted to the court that the custody of the accused was essential to probe if anybody instigated him to commit the crime. Police said a probe was also on to confirm the motive behind the crime. The court sent the accused to police custody till March 29.

It may be recalled that the incident took place around 7.45am on March 19 when the tempo traveller mini bus, that picked up employees of Vyoma Graphics from Kothrud and Warje areas, was on its way to the print press of the company in Phase 2 of the Hinjewadi IT park. When the bus crossed the Wipro Circle of Phase 1 of the IT park, a fire was suddenly spotted under the driver’s seat.

After Humbardikar and a few other passengers jumped out of the bus, the minibus moved haphazardly for some distance on the downward gradient before ramming into a roadside curb and coming to a halt. While this happened, the fire rapidly spread within the bus. The four staffers who could not jump out because of the fire and intense smoke were charred to death while 10 others, including Humbardikar, sustained minor injuries.

On March 20, the Pimpri Chinchwad police took over the case and charged Humbardikar with murder of the four deceased and attempted murder of others. Police sub inspector Datta Kale lodged the first information report (FIR) against Humbardikar at the Hinjewadi police station on March 20.

Police had initially said that the fire could have started because of a short circuit. As per the FIR, while probing the incident, Praveen Kapade (32), an employee of Vyoma Graphics Printing Press, told the police that Humbardikar was behaving weird and in the last six months he often entered into arguments with the company employees over petty reasons. Kapade further told the police that on March 18, he heard Humbardikar saying, “Hey sagle lay bhari zale ahet. Hyanchyakde Baghtoch…ek-ekachi vaat lavto (All of them are extra smart. I will see them. I will ruin them all)”.

During interrogation, Humbardikar allegedly told the police that company had allegedly not paid his salary for two months and was made to do others’ works, apart from driving. The company has denied the claims.

Meanwhile, as per the FIR, to “teach a lesson” to the company employees, he allegedly collected benzene and cloth rags from the company on March 18 and used it to set the bus on fire the next day.

Police said Humbardikar’s pants also caught fire during the incident. He jumped from the moving bus on a downward slope — of the location he had chosen according to police — because of which the bus kept moving.

Police said the rear door of the tempo traveller did not open when the fire was spreading inside the bus, because of which the four deceased could not come out and it eventually led to their death. Police are investigating whether the door had been tampered with.

The Indian Express reported that the police have roped in specialised fire forensics and arson investigators to establish the evidence trail which would be crucial for the probe and prosecution.