Drunk IT Professional Kills Valet in Pune’s Kalyani Nagar Resto-Bar Crash; Driver Arrested

Kalyani Nagar, Pune | November 30, 2025

In a late-night incident that has shocked Pune, a 24-year-old valet parking assistant lost his life after being run over by a car allegedly driven by a drunk IT professional outside a popular resto-bar in Kalyani Nagar on Sunday night. Pune Police have booked the accused for culpable homicide not amounting to murder and taken him into custody.

The deceased has been identified as Satyendra Mandal, who was working as a valet parking assistant at Toit Pune, a well-known restaurant and bar in the upscale locality. The accused driver has been named as Pratap Dhaygude (49), an IT professional and resident of Dhanori.

What Happened

According to police sources, Dhaygude arrived at the restaurant in an allegedly intoxicated state and continued drinking inside the premises. Staff members reportedly refused to serve him further alcohol due to his behaviour and offered to arrange a cab for his safety. However, he declined the offer, walked out of the restaurant and entered his car parked outside.

Initial investigation suggests that while attempting to drive away, Dhaygude lost control of the vehicle and crashed into the valet parking counter. Mandal, who was standing behind the counter, was pinned under the vehicle and sustained critical injuries.

Restaurant staff and bystanders rushed Mandal to a nearby hospital, but doctors declared him dead on arrival.

Police Action

Personnel from Yerwada Police Station reached the spot shortly after receiving the alert and detained the accused driver. Witnesses told police that Dhaygude kept repeating that he was a “good man” while being taken into custody.

Confirming the development, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 4) Somay Munde said a serious offence has been registered. “An FIR for culpable homicide not amounting to murder has been filed against the accused,” he told Punekar News.

Senior Police Inspector Anjum Bagwan, who heads Yerwada Police Station, said the accused will be produced before a court on Monday.

Rising Concern Over Drunk Driving in Pune

The incident has once again highlighted Pune’s growing problem of drunk driving, particularly around nightlife hubs such as Kalyani Nagar, Koregaon Park, and Baner. Despite repeated police crackdowns and public awareness campaigns, cases of reckless driving under the influence continue to put lives at risk.

Police officials stated that further investigation is underway, including examination of CCTV footage, medical reports and eyewitness statements.