Pimpri Chinchwad, 28th May 2026: The deaths of five persons from Phugewadi area in Pimpri Chinchwad on a single day triggered panic and speculation in the locality on Friday, with police launching an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
According to local residents, news of the deaths spread rapidly across the Phugewadi area along the Pune-Mumbai highway, creating tension in the locality. A condolence board put up at Azad Chowk listed the names of the deceased and announced that the funeral procession would take place at 5 pm.
The deceased were identified as Pandurang Sakharam Phuge (57), Vijay Prakash Rathod (31), Rajendra Prakash Rathod (34), Rajendra Rajput (51) and Akbar Pathan (52), as mentioned on the board put up at Azad Chowk by a local organisation.
Preliminary information shared locally suggested that two persons may have died due to heart attacks, though the exact causes of death of the others were not immediately known. Reports also suggest one of them died of suspected food poisioning linked to illegal liquor.
Amid the deaths, speculation also spread in the area that consumption of illicit liquor may have led to the fatalities. Residents claimed there are illegal liquor dens operating in parts of the locality near the Pune-Mumbai railway line and crematorium area. However, officials said there was no confirmation so far linking the deaths to spurious liquor consumption.
Following widespread discussion on social media, teams from the Pimpri Chinchwad Police Commissionerate reached the area and began inquiries. Police officials are inspecting the locations linked to the deaths and speaking to local residents to ascertain the exact cause behind the incident.
Authorities said further clarity would emerge only after medical examination reports are received.
The post Pune: Mystery Surrounds Deaths of Five Persons in Pimpri Chinchwad’s Phugewadi in Single Day; Police Begin Probe appeared first on Punekar News.
