Pune: Negligence Charges Filed After Woman Falls to Death from Zip Line Tower at Bhor Water Park
Pune, 21st April 2025: A 28-year-old woman lost her life after falling from a zip line launch platform at a water park in Bhor taluka, prompting police to book seven individuals, including the resort owner and staff, for alleged negligence.
The incident took place on Friday evening (April 18) at an adventure resort in Varge village, located about 30 kilometers from Pune. The deceased, Taral Atpalkar, a resident of Narhe, had visited the water park with her family for a day of leisure and adventure activities.
According to police, the accident occurred around 6 PM when Atpalkar was about to begin the zip line ride. “She was asked to stand on a metal stool to adjust the harness due to its improper height. She lost balance and fell from a height of approximately 30 feet,” said Assistant Police Inspector Tukaram Rathod of Rajgad police station. “She suffered critical head injuries and was rushed to a private hospital, where doctors declared her dead.”
Preliminary findings suggest that safety arrangements at the zip line site were inadequate. “There was only one safety net installed, and unfortunately, it was not placed on the side where she fell,” Rathod added.
Following the incident, Rajgad police registered an FIR on Sunday under sections 106 (causing death by negligence) and 125 (act endangering life or personal safety of others) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Senior Inspector Rajesh Gawali, who is leading the investigation, said, “Our inquiry so far indicates that the resort operator, along with key staff members, failed to implement basic safety protocols expected at such adventure facilities. This lapse directly contributed to the tragic outcome.”
Atpalkar, who held a degree in aeronautical engineering from a Pune-based aviation institute, was employed with an IT firm in Balewadi. She is survived by her mother. Her brother had drowned two years ago and after that, her father also passed away.
Her uncle, Nandkishor Atpalkar, filed a formal complaint with police, prompting legal action against the seven accused. Authorities have temporarily closed the water park while investigations continue.
“We are assessing all operational aspects of the resort and verifying whether it had proper licenses and trained staff to conduct high-risk adventure activities,” Gawali said.
The incident has raised serious concerns over safety norms at recreational facilities in rural areas near Pune, which often draw large crowds, especially during weekends and holidays.
