Tejas Navale
Pune, May 19, 2025:A disturbing incident has taken place in Pune’s Kharadi area where an 11-year-old schoolboy was crushed to death by a speeding dumper on Saturday afternoon. This mishap occurred near the Zensar Company grounds and has raised fresh concerns over heavy vehicle movement in busy residential zones.
The deceased has been identified as Anshuman Anupkumar Gaikwad, a resident of Keshav Nagar in Mundhwa. He was on his way to school when the accident took place. Kharadi Police have arrested the dumper driver, identified as Rajaram Dayaram Rathod (48), a resident of Vadgaon Sheri, in connection with the incident.
According to the FIR registered at Kharadi police station by Tanmayi Anupkumar Gaikwad (23), Anshuman’s sister, the child was riding pillion with her on a two-wheeler when the accident happened.
Police officials revealed that the dumper, reportedly driven rashly, breaked abruptly after the driver failed to spot a speed breaker installed near the Zensar Company premises. The sudden breaking caused Tanmayi, who was riding behind the dumper, to lose control of the bike. Both she and Anshuman were thrown off and crashed into the dumper.
While Tanmayi sustained minor injuries, young Anshuman was crushed under the rear wheels of the dumper and died on the spot. Senior Police Inspector Sanjay Chavan of the Kharadi Police Station confirmed Rathod’s arrest and said further investigation is underway. “The driver has been booked and taken into custody. We are probing further details regarding the accident,” said Chavan.
