Pune mayhem: Santosh Mane remanded to police custody till Feb 3

Santosh Mane, the driver whose joyride of death had left a trail of death and destruction in Pune on Wednesday was remanded to police custody by a city court till February 3.

Mane a driver with the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC), had gone on a rampage on Pune city road, killing 8 and injuring 30 others in a state transport bus, which he had drove off ,from the Swargate bus depot.

Mane was sentenced by the vacation court  of justice VB Bohra. He was not represented by any lawyer, and the Pune Bar Association (PBA), had appealed to Pune lawyers not to represent him.

The injured were admitted to the Sassoon Hospital on Wednesday. Dr DG Kulkarni, medical superintendent of the hospital told DNA, that majority of the patients were on the path of improvement. “Most of the patients are out of danger and we do not foresee any complications in their condition,” he said.

Rishi Khandelwal (11), was shifted to the Jehangir Hospital by his relatives, where he was admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Sainath Pradhan, general manager of the hospital told DNA, that Rishi’s condition continued to be critical. “He has suffered from head and abdomen injuries. Also, he has multiple fractures,” he said.

Rishi was the pillion of this father Pikesh Khandelwal, who expired after Mane hit their motorcycle.

Funerals of majority of the victims were carried out in the various crematoriums in Pune. Pikesh’s body was taken to Ahmednagar for the last rites.