In a shocking and tragic incident, a group of eleven tourists from Pune, most of whom were college students, visited a homestay in the Harihareshwar area of Raigad district. In an intoxicated state, the group sought accommodation, but when the owner of the homestay, Abhijit Dhamnaskar, refused to rent them rooms due to their drunken behavior, events took a violent turn. These tourists, unable to control their anger, physically assaulted Dhamnaskar. In the midst of the chaos, they struck and fatally injured his sister, Jyoti Dhamnaskar, who was just 28 years old and worked as a cook at her brother's homestay.

The violence escalated as the dispute over the rooms intensified. Jyoti, who had been at the wrong place at the wrong time, became the victim of the senseless act when the drunk men, in a desperate attempt to flee the scene, rammed their car into her. The tragic incident occurred early on Sunday morning in the peaceful town of Harihareshwar in Shrivardhan. Three of the accused, who had traveled from Pune, have since been arrested, but the main suspect—the driver of the car responsible for Jyoti's death—remains on the run.

The trouble began around 12:30 AM when four men from the group of tourists approached Abhijit Dhamnaskar, requesting rooms for the night. Due to their visibly intoxicated state, Abhijit denied them accommodation, which triggered their violent reaction. The men began assaulting Abhijit, and he quickly called out for help. Hearing his cries, nearby villagers and relatives rushed to his aid. In the ensuing chaos, the attackers attempted to flee. However, one of the suspects, identified as Dhotre, fell from the car while trying to escape and was immediately captured by the locals.

When questioned about the identity of the man caught by the villagers, he revealed his name as Irappa Yamanappa Dhotre (32), a resident of Kasarwadi in Pimpri Chinchwad. This revelation set the stage for the next grim turn of events. The three other men, who had initially fled the scene in their vehicle, returned around 1:30 AM, hoping to rescue their associate. Upon returning, they found the villagers gathered in large numbers. However, instead of a peaceful request, the men issued a chilling threat. According to Raigad Superintendent of Police Somnath Gharge, the trio warned the villagers, saying that if they refused to release their friend, the men would run them over.

True to their words, the driver of the vehicle, identified as Uttekar, accelerated the car and rammed it into Jyoti Dhamnaskar, the 28-year-old sister of the homestay owner. Jyoti was a cook at the homestay, and the impact from the speeding vehicle killed her instantly. The cold-blooded act, carried out in the Harihareshwar area of Raigad in the early hours, left the community in shock and grief. The senseless violence, which began as a simple refusal of rooms due to intoxication, had now resulted in a devastating loss of life.

The suspects did not linger. They fled the scene immediately after the horrific incident. However, the police, determined to bring them to justice, swiftly mobilized. Using technical evidence, a dedicated team of officers, led by Inspector Uttam Rikame, was able to trace the whereabouts of the culprits. Three of the accused, Irappa Yamanappa Dhotre, Aakash Govind Gawade (26), and Vicky Premsingh Gill (30), were tracked down in Pune and promptly arrested.

Superintendent of Police Somnath Gharge confirmed the arrests of the three men, while the hunt continues for the other key suspect, Uttekar, the driver responsible for the brutal killing. Inspector Uttam Rikame further elaborated on the investigation, stating that besides those already in custody, several others involved in the incident remain at large. The wanted individuals include Niraj Uparvat, Aashish Sonawane, Anil Mane, Amil Nagpur, Sachin Jamadar, Tullu (full name unknown), and Adil Shaikh.

Among those arrested in connection with the tragic incident, Vicky Premsingh Gill and Irappa Yamanappa Dhotre both worked as auto drivers, while Aakash Govind Gawade was running a small-scale business in Pune. The three men, who were apprehended after a swift police operation, will face justice soon. According to the authorities, they are scheduled to be produced before the court on Monday.

The charges against the accused are severe. All four suspects, including the still-absconding Uttekar, have been booked under sections 103(1), 115(2), 351(3), and 5(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, reflecting the gravity of the crime committed. These sections ensure that those responsible for such violent acts face strict legal repercussions.

A police officer familiar with the investigation further explained, "Among the arrested accused, Gawade runs a small-scale business while the remaining two are auto drivers. We have formed two teams to nab the fourth and main accused." This statement highlights the dedication of the authorities in ensuring that the main suspect, Uttekar, who was driving the vehicle responsible for Jyoti Dhamnaskar’s death, is captured and held accountable for his actions.

The police are leaving no stone unturned in their search for Uttekar, forming two specialized teams to track him down. While three of the culprits are already in custody, their fate now lies in the hands of the court, where justice will be sought for the senseless killing of an innocent woman. The community and the family of Jyoti Dhamnaskar wait for answers, hoping that the remaining suspect will be caught soon and face the consequences of his reckless and violent behavior.

This senseless act of violence, fueled by alcohol, has left a family grieving the loss of a young woman who had no involvement in the altercation and was merely trying to help at her brother’s homestay. The authorities are still searching for the fourth suspect, the driver, while the community in Harihareshwar mourns the tragic loss of Jyoti Dhamnaskar.