Pune car crash: Pub, bar employees protest over job losses following accident

The car that crashed into the bike of the of victims of Pune accident. File Pic/PTI

Following the Pune car crash involving a teenager, the local administration in Pune has taken action against several pubs and bars, leading to protests by their employees. On Friday, many employees from these establishments demonstrated, claiming they were losing their livelihoods due to the crackdown.

"We are facing the consequences of the faults of just two bars," said an employee. Approximately 2,500 employees, along with bar and pub owners, gathered at Raja Bahadur Mills near Pune station to voice their concerns.

After the Pune car crash in Kalyani Nagar, where a Porsche allegedly driven by a drunk teenager killed two motorbike-borne software engineers, the district administration has targeted multiple pubs and bars. Following orders from the Pune Collector, 32 establishments in various parts of the city have faced action.

One woman employee participating in the protest stated that only the pubs violating the rules should be punished, rather than a blanket action affecting all establishments.

An employee from a pub in Mundhwa expressed their distress, stating, "During the COVID-19 pandemic, we suffered greatly. Now, after the Pune car crash, we are suffering again. We have families to support, and with these actions against pubs, we are at risk of losing our jobs."

According to the police, the teenager had allegedly consumed alcohol at a hotel before the Pune car crash. In addition to arresting the boy's father, the police have detained two employees and the owners of Cosie Restaurant and Hotel Blak Club in Mundhwa.

Ajit Pawar calls for strict action in Pune car crash

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has called for harsh action in the Pune car crash case, in which a 17-year-old allegedly killed two software engineers riding on a motorbike while driving a Porsche under the influence of alcohol. The event took place in Kalyani Nagar in the early hours of Sunday.

The youngster, son of real estate mogul Vishal Agarwal, was first granted bail by the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) with an instruction to write a 300-word essay. However, following public outrage and a police review request, he was confined to an observation home until June 5.

Pawar told reporters that the probe should proceed without political influence, emphasising the gravity of the situation and the need for responsibility.

"Probe into the case should be conducted without interference from any political person. Whatever happened was serious and such incidents should be curbed and stringent action should be taken against those who are responsible in the Pune car crash case," said Pawar. He also mentioned that action has been taken against illegal pubs and bars in the city, highlighting concerns over rising pub culture.

Meanwhile, Congress leader and Kasba MLA Ravindra Dhangekar has written to Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, demanding that a retired judge lead the investigation. Dhangekar cited Pune's reputation as an educational hub and the negative impact of pub culture on the youth. He also staged a protest outside the police commissioner's office over the Pune car crash, demanding the suspension of the investigation officer in the Kalyani Nagar accident and the filing of a police case against him.

"Pune is an educational capital. A large number of students from different parts of the state are in the city to study. Pune is widely known as a peaceful city. However, the pub culture is on the rise in the city. The pubs which are operating late at night are creating trouble for many. Moreover, the younger generation is getting addicted to pub culture and their lives seem to be getting ruined," Dhangekar stated.

With PTI inputs