Nagpur: The hit-and-run case in Nagpur, involving BJP State President Chandrashekhar Bawankule’s son, has become a topic of state-wide discussion. Deputy Commissioner of Police Rahul Madane informed the media that Chandrashekhar Bawankule’s son, Sanket, was sitting next to the driver in the Audi car that hit several vehicles after midnight on Sunday. Since then, several new revelations have come to light.
On Wednesday, Sushma Andhare, leader of the Shiv Sena (UBT) faction, visited the Sitabuldi Police Station and questioned the police on several points. Andhare raised concerns over handling of the Audi car accident case. She pointed out that despite having complete details about Sanket Bawankule, the investigation had significant loopholes.
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Andhare questioned why Jitendra Sonkamble, an employee of Nagpur Press Club , who initially registered the FIR, is now claiming to have withdrawn it. She alleged that pressure is being exerted on the investigation by BJP leaders Devendra Fadnavis and Chandrashekhar Bawankule.
After gathering information from officers at the Sitabuldi Police Station, Sushma Andhare held a press conference. She expressed concern that Jitendra Sonkamble, the complainant in the hit-and-run case, is under immense pressure. Sonkamble belongs to a Scheduled Caste, and Andhare fears for his safety, stating that the police should provide him with protection.
She raised concerns about why medical test was not conducted on Sanket Bawankule despite being present in the car. She also questioned why his name was not mentioned in the FIR. Andhare further said that Sanket enjoyed liquor with friends at a bar. After the accident, he tried to flee. “Initially police were reluctant to register a case. But when the owners of the cars requested police to register a case for the sake of an insurance claim, cops registered a case,” Andhare claimed.
The accident occurred late Sunday night when the Audi car, in which Sanket Bawankule was sitting, hit multiple vehicles in Ramdaspeth area. Sushma Andhare claimed that eyewitnesses caught and beat up Sanket and others present. The eyewitnesses then attempted to bring the accused to the police station, but Sanket escaped with the car, hitting three more vehicles. One of these vehicles belonged to Jitendra Sonkamble, an employee of Nagpur Press Club. Sonkamble tried to file an FIR that night, but Sushma Andhare alleged that the police refused to take his complaint.
On Sunday, September 8, around midnight, Sanket Bawankule and his two friends, Arjun Jitendra Hawre (24) and Ronit Chintamwar (27), visited Lahori Hotel in Dharampeth. They left in an Audi car around 12:30 a.m. and, while speeding along Central Bazaar Road in Ramdaspeth, they hit three vehicles, including Jitendra Sonkamble’s car, near Centre Point Hotel. At the time of the accident, Sanket was in the car with his two friends. However, the Sitabuldi Police only detained Arjun Hawre and Ronit Chintamwar, and Sanket’s name was not included in the FIR.
