Friends were on bikes headed for Lonavala at dawn; two remain critical, one dies on the spot; The deceased, Manav Kunvikorve, popularly known as “Jacks”, was riding pillion when the impact flung him nearly 30 feet off the flyover
Ten young dancers, riding to Lonavala for a joyride, were mowed down by a speeding car in Kharghar. illustrations/Uday Mohite
A 23-year-old dancer from Dharavi was killed and nine of his friends injured — two critically — after a speeding car rammed into their bikes on the Hiranandani flyover in Kharghar around 4.45 am on Wednesday. The accused, Vaibhav Chandrakant Dhere, 24, fled the scene barefoot and was arrested within six hours from Pune.
The deceased, Manav Kunvikorve, popularly known as “Jacks”, was riding pillion when the impact flung him nearly 30 feet off the flyover. Two others, Sameer Mohammad, 20, and Sagar Devalla, 23, are on ventilators at MGM Hospital, Kamothe.
A 23-year-old dancer from Dharavi, Manav Kunvikorve — affectionately called “Jacks” — was killed when a speeding car rammed into his group on the Hiranandani flyover, flinging him 30 feet to his death
According to Kharghar police, the group of ten friends from Dharavi’s Dhobi Ghat area was en route to Lonavala on bikes and scooters for an impromptu trip. As they crossed the flyover, a white Fiat Linea hit them from behind, injuring several and killing one.
Assistant Police Inspector Ramchandra Yamgar, the investigating officer, said, “The accused abandoned the car and fled on foot. He was identified through CCTV footage and vehicle registration details. We arrested him from Pune.”
Police suspect the driver was under the influence of alcohol, but toxicology reports are awaited. Dhere has been booked under non-bailable offences, including rash and negligent driving and culpable homicide not amounting to murder under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with relevant sections of the Motor Vehicles Act.
Nine others were injured, two of them now battling for life on ventilators. The accused driver, 24-year-old Vaibhav Dhere, fled the scene barefoot but was arrested hours later in Pune. Cops suspect he was drunk
The group, all part of a local dance crew, had earlier performed at festivals and community events. A complaint in the case has been filed by group member Ashish Shahu.
Following the incident, friends and citizens have demanded strict action against the accused. “We hope he is not let off lightly. This was not just an accident; it was criminal negligence,” said Shahu.
“Manav was our heartbeat. We danced with him a lot. Now he is gone, and two more brothers may leave us,” said Naveen Rawa, 23, a group member, holding back tears.
The dance group from Dharavi’s Dhobi Ghat who were hit by a speeding car during their Lonavala trip
Victim details
Deceased:
Manav Kunvikorve, 23, a professional dancer
Critical:
Sameer Mohammad, 20, raised by a single mother
Sagar Devalla, 23, also raised by a single mother
Others injured:
Subhan Shaikh, 20
Ishtiyak Ansari, 21
Naveen Rawa, 23
Mahesh Gadde, 25
Sanket Singh, 20
Sahil Kunchkorve, 21
Lucky Koli alias Mukul, 22
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