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A 23-year-old man died of electrocution after an iron structure erected on a tractor for Kojagiri Pournima celebrations came in contact with a high-tension power line in Ubale Nagar, Wagholi, on October 6.
Police identified the deceased as Nitin Mohan Pawar, a resident of Ubale Nagar. Following a probe, seven persons, including office-bearers of the Ramdas Shivtej Mitra Mandal and the tractor driver, have been booked on charges of negligence under Sections 105 and 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
According to police, the Ramdas Shivtej Mitra Mandal, based in Renuka Park, Ubale Nagar, had taken out a procession on the occasion of Kojagiri Pournima. Authorities had instructed the organisers to ensure that the decoration on the tractor did not exceed 14 feet in height and 10 feet in width, to prevent contact with overhead electricity and telephone cables along the route.
However, the Mandal allegedly erected a structure measuring 17 feet in height and 14 feet in width, made of iron and fitted with sound systems. Around 8 pm, while the procession was passing from Renuka Park towards Ahilya Nagar, the upper part of the structure touched a high-tension cable, causing a spark. Pawar, who was standing nearby and holding the iron frame of the tractor, suffered a severe electric shock and collapsed on the road.
Police personnel deployed on duty at the spot rushed him to a nearby hospital along with Mandal members, but doctors declared him dead on arrival.
An Accidental Death Report (ADR) was initially registered at the Wagholi police station, and a subsequent inquiry revealed that the organisers had disregarded police instructions regarding height and width restrictions. Based on the findings, an FIR was lodged by Police Sub-Inspector Amol Kale on Thursday, booking seven accused for negligence leading to the fatal incident.
Assistant police inspector Vijay Chandan, the investigation officer said, “The deceased was also associated with the Ramdas Shivtej Mitra Mandal. An FIR has been registered and further investigation is on. No arrests have been made yet.”
