Pune: A 59-year-old woman riding pillion was killed after her bike was hit from behind by a speeding dumper truck near Gangadham Chowk on Wednesday (June 12) afternoon. The driver of the truck has been arrested by Marketyard police. The 33-year-old daughter-in-law of the deceased has also sustained critical injuries.

The deceased woman has been identified as Damayanti Bhupendra Solanki, a resident of Kondhwa. Her daughter-in-law, Priyanka Rahul Solanki, who was riding the bike, was severely injured and is currently undergoing treatment at a private hospital.

The suspect driver Ashok Chhotelal Mahato, 37, residing at Bavdhan, has been taken into custody. Mahato has been charged under Section 304 and other relevant sections of the IPC.

According to police, the investigation indicates that the dumper truck hit the bike from behind. Damayanti died instantly due to severe injuries, while Priyanka was rushed to the hospital.

Locals reportedly beat Mahato and damaged the truck before handing him over to the police. The truck was carrying building materials at the time of the incident.

In response to the accident, Rajya Sabha MP Medha Kulkarni called for strict enforcement of the ban on heavy vehicles on city roads, noting that the accident happened because such vehicles were allowed in restricted areas. However, traffic control officials clarified that there was no existing ban on heavy vehicles on the road where the accident occurred.

Rajya Sabha MP Medha Kulkarni posted in X, “I have written to the Pune City Police Commissioner insisting on the strict enforcement of the ban on heavy vehicles on the roads. Heavy vehicle traffic is prohibited. In spite of the ban, heavy vehicles are seen plying on the city roads. The accident near Gangadham Chowk happened because heavy vehicles were allowed where they are prohibited.”