Police rule out foul play in Panvel car fire

The New Panvel police have ruled out any foul play in the accident on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway on Monday. Sarabjit Singh Hoonjan, 50, wife of Pune-based industrialist Kesar Singh Hoonjan died in the accident.

The New Panvel police have ruled out any foul play in the accident on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway on Monday. Sarabjit Singh Hoonjan, 50, wife of Pune-based industrialist Kesar Singh Hoonjan died in the accident.

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The police have registered a case of negligence and rash driving against the driver of the car, Salim Umar Shaikh, 35, a mantrik by profession. Hoonjan, daughter Chanjit Kaur, 25, Shaikh and his relative Jaffer were travelling in a Ford Fiesta. They were on their way back to Pune after performing a puja at Vashi creek.

Valchandra Munde, senior inspector, New Panvel police station, said, “Shaikh gave the Hoonjans a talisman which helped them in their business three years ago. He would guide the family on various issues.

“On November 1, Shaikh had performed a puja at the Hoonjans’ residence in Pune. They had gone to the sea to immerse the puja material .”

There were initial suspicions as three occupants escaped with a few injuries while Sarabjit suffered 100% burns.

Munde, however, said, “A forensic team confirmed that the car had turned turtle and the fuel tank exploded.” Munde said Chanjit Kaur, Shaikh and Jaffer escaped because they were thrown out of the vehicle, but Sarabjit was caught inside.