Hyderabad: Two persons, including a 2011 batch IPS officer of Maharashtra cadre, Sudhakar Pathare, died after their SUV was involved in a head-on collision with a Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) bus near Domalapenta on the ghat road in Nagarkurnool district en route Srisailam on Saturday.
Sudhakar was deputy commissioner of police (DCP), Port Zone, in the Mumbai police.
TSRTC on Saturday night released a statement, along with a video, saying an inquiry by them showed that the bus driver was not at fault and RTC lodged a complaint at the local police station for the accident. “The car came in the wrong direction and it led to the accident,” RTC said.
Nagarkurnool district police said three persons — Sudhakar, 54, his relative Bhagwat Khodake, 50, and car driver Sheikh Muqeed — were in the SUV and were heading to the Srisailam Mallikarjuna Swamy temple in Nandyal district of Andhra Pradesh.
Around 11.45 am, the SUV, which was ascending a hill, collided with an RTC bus coming from the opposite direction, around five kilometres from Domalapenta. Due to the impact of the collision, the front portion of the car was completely damaged. The SUV driver, who was wearing a seatbelt, escaped as the airbags got deployed after the collision. The two persons in the rear passenger seat were not wearing seatbelts. One of them made a call to their relative and informed them about the incident, police said. When the district police attended to the distress call, one of the two gave the information that Sudhakar was an IPS officer from Mumbai.
“Two persons — Sudhakar and Bhagwat — who were in the rear seat died, while the driver of the car escaped with grievous injuries,” deputy superintendent of police (Achampet) Srinivas told TOI. Sudhakar suffered a fatal head injury, while Bhagwat internal injuries. Both died while they were being shifted to hospital, police added.
Nagarkurnool district superintendent of police Vaibhav Gaikwad told TOI that Sudhakar was in Hyderabad to attend a mid-career training programme at SVP National Police Academy. “He was joined by his relative, and they both started their journey to Srisailam temple. They were travelling in a private vehicle,” the SP added. Telangana police said a criminal case was registered and they were verifying who was at fault.
Datta Nalawade, DCP (Detection), Crime Branch, said, “Mumbai police is deeply saddened by the untimely demise of DCP Sudhakar Pathare in a tragic road accident in Telangana. DCP Pathare was a dedicated officer who served the force with commitment and integrity. His contribution in maintaining law and order in Mumbai Port Zone and in his earlier assignment are invaluable. His sudden departure leaves a profound void in our ranks. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time.”
After being selected as deputy superintendent of police in 1998, he served in Pandharpur, Akluj, Kolhapur, Rajura, and later as deputy commissioner of police in Thane, Pune, Vashi, Navi Mumbai, Thane City and Mumbai.