A leisure trip turned fatal for a 21-year-old woman, Komal Shinde, who fell to her death while trekking at Rajgad Fort in Pune district. Komal, a resident of Alandi, had gone to the historic site on Thursday, June 5, along with her husband, Satish Shinde.
Where Did the Incident Occur?
The incident occurred near the Balekilla, the summit of the fort and a popular trekking point. While descending the steep trail, Komal reportedly lost her footing and fell into a deep gorge estimated to be between 150 to 400 feet. Authorities believe that the recent rainfall made the path particularly slippery, increasing the risk of accidents.
Following the fall, a rescue team, accompanied by local villagers and police, located her body near the route leading to Sanjeevani and Suvela Machis. By the time she was brought to Velhe Rural Hospital, she had already succumbed to severe injuries, particularly to her head and face.
Police Registers ADR
Velhe police have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) as per legal procedures. Assistant Police Inspector Nitin Khamgal confirmed that preliminary findings suggest the couple had visited the fort for recreational purposes. Further investigation is ongoing to determine the exact sequence of events.
The tragic death has ignited anger among local residents and trekking enthusiasts, many of whom are calling for immediate improvements in visitor safety. They argue that despite Rajgad’s popularity, especially during monsoon months, the site lacks even basic protective measures such as railings or warning signs in high-risk zones.
Similar Incidents Took Place Before
This isn’t the first such incident in the region. With the monsoon season approaching, the Forest Department had recently issued a public advisory urging caution among trekkers. Pune’s Deputy Conservator of Forests, Tushar Chavan, reminded the public of previous monsoon tragedies, including a case last year where five members of a family drowned near Bhushi Dam in Lonavala.
Popular hill zones in Pune district, such as Velhe, Mulshi, Maval, and Bhor, attract thousands during the rainy season, but repeated calls for stricter safety enforcement have often gone unheeded. As Komal’s death adds to a growing list of monsoon mishaps, locals are demanding that authorities act swiftly to prevent further loss of life.
