PUNE, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA – MARCH 19, 2025 Driver of a minibus belonging to Vyoma Graphics was transporting 14 employees from the Warje area to office buildings in the Hinjewadi area. It’s hard to say what snapped in his mind, but when they were in the Hinjewadi IT Park, he intentionally started a fire that claimed 4 lives.
Janardan Hambardikar
The 54-year-old driver, Janardan Hambardikar, set fire to gasoline-soaked rags, threw them under the driver’s seat, and jumped out of the moving minibus. The minibus continued uncontrollably for about 650 feet (200 meters) before crashing into a tree. Four people sitting at the rear of the minibus were unable to escape because of faulty emergency doors and burned alive inside.
The police investigation tried to determine the motive of the perpetrator. Allegedly, he acted out of revenge due to long-standing work disputes. It was also found that he had planned his act for a long time.
The victims were identified as: 63-year-old Shankar Kondiba Shinde, 40-year-old Gurudas Khandu Lokhare, 45-year-old Subhash Suresh Bhosale, 42-year-old Rajendra Siddharth Chavan. They were all men and employees of Vyoma Graphics, working in various positions.
Aftermath
READ MORE:
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/pune-bus-fire-turns-out-to-be-act-of-arson-by-mistreated-driver/articleshow/119272680.cms
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/pune-it-hub-minibus-fire-police-arrest-driver-who-started-fire-9909564/
https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/pune-news/driver-stages-pune-bus-fire-to-avenge-workplace-disputes-101742498223352.html
https://www.indiatvnews.com/maharashtra/pune-minibus-fire-vengeful-bus-driver-started-blaze-that-claimed-lives-of-four-employees-says-police-latest-updates-2025-03-20-981563
