Shastri Family Tragedy Fund
Donation protected
Shastri Family Tragedy Fund
This is the official GoFundMe page for the Shastri family set up by Shakher Puntambekar, New Jersey, United States.
Sunil Shastri, also known by the name Raju to his family, from the Indian city of Pune, was murdered on Saturday June 22, 2019. Raju used to work full time for the ride sharing app OLA as a driver-partner. Just after midnight on the night of his murder, Raju picked up a passenger who had booked it using the OLA app. Within minutes, the passenger strangled him and dumped his body by the roadside on the outskirts of Pune. Then the murderer drove the car hundreds of kilometers away to Gujarat before being captured by the Gujarat state police using the tracker installed in the car. The murderer already had criminal record in other states. Per news reports, cars stolen in other states are used by criminals in Rajasthan to smuggle illicit drugs from Pakistan.
Since OLA drivers are considered self-employed, the company is not responsible for compensation even if a driver was exclusively taking passengers booked by the OLA App which was the case with Raju. The car was also leased from OLA.
Raju was 52 years old with a college going older son, Manish, and a younger son Chaitanya, still in high school. His wife, Prajakta, is a housewife and suffers from severe diabetes. This has been a totally devastating blow, both emotionally and financially.
Raju was a soft-spoken kind man always willing to help his neighbors and family and respected by his peers and his community. Nobody deserves this type of fate. He will be in our hearts, thoughts, and prayers.
Rest in peace, Raju, you will be remembered by many.
*Considering the gravity of the situation, we have setup a GoFundme campaign in the memory of Raju. Funds raised will be used for the day to day living expenses of the Shastri family in the short term until Manish and Chaitanya can stand on their two feet. We hope that you can be generous in donating to the campaign.
* As a PASSENGER or a DRIVER, be cautious in checking the IDs before taking the ride.
* Please share with your friends and family to create awareness and help support the family
Thank you for supporting the Shastri family in this time of need.
These funds will be withdrawn directly by Shakher Puntambekar, cousin of Sunil Shastri for the benefit of the Shastri family.
Media Reports on the Murder
Pune: Two men book Ola cab to murder driver, steal car
Pune cops from Kondhwa area nab assailant from Gujarat Read more at: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/69949912.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst
Police press conference
The Shastri Family in Happier Times
Raju and Prajakta on a Holiday
Raju and Manish on Raju's birthday last year
Raju and Chaitanya celebrating Hindu New year.
Entrance of the Shastri family home.
Shastri Family in Happier Times
The dream car which unfortunately turned into a nightmare
Shastri Family performing Vastu-Shanti of their new home in 2017. The family treats Shri Brahma Chaitanya Gondavlekar Maharaj as their spiritual Guru.
This is the official GoFundMe page for the Shastri family set up by Shakher Puntambekar, New Jersey, United States.
Sunil Shastri, also known by the name Raju to his family, from the Indian city of Pune, was murdered on Saturday June 22, 2019. Raju used to work full time for the ride sharing app OLA as a driver-partner. Just after midnight on the night of his murder, Raju picked up a passenger who had booked it using the OLA app. Within minutes, the passenger strangled him and dumped his body by the roadside on the outskirts of Pune. Then the murderer drove the car hundreds of kilometers away to Gujarat before being captured by the Gujarat state police using the tracker installed in the car. The murderer already had criminal record in other states. Per news reports, cars stolen in other states are used by criminals in Rajasthan to smuggle illicit drugs from Pakistan.
Since OLA drivers are considered self-employed, the company is not responsible for compensation even if a driver was exclusively taking passengers booked by the OLA App which was the case with Raju. The car was also leased from OLA.
Raju was 52 years old with a college going older son, Manish, and a younger son Chaitanya, still in high school. His wife, Prajakta, is a housewife and suffers from severe diabetes. This has been a totally devastating blow, both emotionally and financially.
Raju was a soft-spoken kind man always willing to help his neighbors and family and respected by his peers and his community. Nobody deserves this type of fate. He will be in our hearts, thoughts, and prayers.
Rest in peace, Raju, you will be remembered by many.
*Considering the gravity of the situation, we have setup a GoFundme campaign in the memory of Raju. Funds raised will be used for the day to day living expenses of the Shastri family in the short term until Manish and Chaitanya can stand on their two feet. We hope that you can be generous in donating to the campaign.
* As a PASSENGER or a DRIVER, be cautious in checking the IDs before taking the ride.
* Please share with your friends and family to create awareness and help support the family
Thank you for supporting the Shastri family in this time of need.
These funds will be withdrawn directly by Shakher Puntambekar, cousin of Sunil Shastri for the benefit of the Shastri family.
Media Reports on the Murder
Pune: Two men book Ola cab to murder driver, steal car
Pune cops from Kondhwa area nab assailant from Gujarat Read more at: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/69949912.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst
Police press conference
The Shastri Family in Happier Times
Raju and Prajakta on a Holiday
Raju and Manish on Raju's birthday last year
Raju and Chaitanya celebrating Hindu New year.
Entrance of the Shastri family home.
Shastri Family in Happier Times
The dream car which unfortunately turned into a nightmare
Shastri Family performing Vastu-Shanti of their new home in 2017. The family treats Shri Brahma Chaitanya Gondavlekar Maharaj as their spiritual Guru.
Organizer
Shakher Puntambekar
Organizer
Morganville, NJ
