Overview
- A car registered to lavani artiste Gautami Patil allegedly rear-ended an autorickshaw near Wadgaon Bridge on September 30, critically injuring driver Samaji Vitthal Margale.
- Investigators seized the vehicle, registered an FIR on an audiovisual complaint, appointed a special officer, gathered CCTV footage and witness statements, and collected the driver’s blood sample for alcohol testing.
- Pune police say Patil has not been booked because she was not present in the car, and the identified driver has appeared for questioning after being served a notice.
- A video showing Minister Chandrakant Patil asking the DCP about arresting Patil and confiscating the car drew criticism, with NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar accusing him of exerting pressure and of selective concern.
- In a new exchange, Chandrakant Patil publicly rebuked Pawar and said Patil acknowledged the car was hers and would cover medical costs, while police indicated she could be called for a statement if required.