Lumbaram Chaudhary, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament from the Sirohi-Jalore constituency in Rajasthan, had a narrow escape after his vehicle caught fire on the Nashik-Mumbai highway. The incident took place around midnight on Friday in the Gonde area of Maharashtra. According to officials, the MP was traveling to the Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga for a pilgrimage when his Range Rover was suddenly engulfed in flames. Fortunately, the MP and three other occupants managed to exit the vehicle safely before the fire spread.
Travel from Mumbai After Parliament Session
According to statements provided by MP Lumbaram Chaudhary, he had traveled to Mumbai on Friday evening following the conclusion of the Parliament session. From Mumbai airport, he proceeded towards Nashik by road accompanied by a friend and staff members. The group was heading to the Trimbakeshwar temple to offer prayers. The accident occurred approximately 40 km before reaching Nashik city, near the Gonde industrial belt, late at night.
Sequence of the Short Circuit and Escape
The MP recounted that around 12:00 AM, a burning smell was detected inside the cabin. He immediately alerted the driver, identified as Anil Jadhav, a resident of Shahpur. Within moments, thick smoke began billowing from the engine compartment. The driver promptly pulled the vehicle over to the side of the highway. All four individuals inside the car, including the MP, evacuated the vehicle immediately. Seconds after they stepped out, the fire intensified, rapidly consuming the entire luxury SUV.
Vehicle Damage and Emergency Response
Local police and fire brigade units were dispatched to the scene as soon as the incident was reported. By the time the fire tenders arrived and managed to douse the flames, the Range Rover was reduced to a charred metallic frame, while the intensity of the fire was such that it caused a temporary disruption in traffic flow on the busy highway. Preliminary technical assessments by the authorities suggest that a short circuit in the vehicle's electrical wiring was the likely cause of the blaze.
Completion of Pilgrimage and Official Investigation
Despite the traumatic incident, MP Lumbaram Chaudhary continued his journey to Nashik using an alternative vehicle. He completed his visit to the Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga and subsequently returned to Mumbai before heading back to his constituency in Rajasthan. According to police officials, a formal case has been registered regarding the incident. The authorities are conducting a thorough investigation to determine the exact technical failure that led to the fire in the high-end vehicle.