“The accident took place near Rahatani Phata, on the road connecting Tapkir Chowk to Kalewadi Phata area. The two sisters were traveling on their moped when the truck hit them from behind. Initial information suggests that the mishap occurred when the motorcycle tried to overtake the truck, but we are verifying the exact sequence of events. After the impact, both the sisters fell and suffered serious head injuries which proved fatal. The truck has been impounded and the driver has been arrested.” he told an officer.

The police have identified the driver Jitendra Nirale, a native of Madhya Pradesh, who had brought the truck with lentils from Nagpur and was returning after unloading it.

Both Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad police have reported a large number of accidents in which heavy vehicles have hit two-wheelers, resulting in the death of the drivers. Heavy vehicles have continued to ply on the roads of Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad cities despite the ban on their movement in many areas. With penalties proving ineffective and fatal and serious accidents on the rise, the Pune City Traffic Police said they were left with no option but to invoke strict charges of attempted culpable homicide against operators of dumpers, mixers and other heavy vehicles violating the ban. During November and December last year, the Pune city traffic police registered a total of 102 cases under section 110 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which pertains to attempt to commit culpable homicide.