Three injured in overcrowding at Pune’s Shivneri Fort during Shivaji Jayanti celebration

Three people were injured after thousands of people were pushed amid overcrowding at the Shivneri Fort in Pune in the early hours of Thursday (February 19, 2026) to celebrate the birth anniversary of Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, police said.

Officials said the incident took place around 3.30 am when a group carrying torches was coming down from the fort near Meena Darwaja in Junnar tehsil.

Pune Rural Police Superintendent Sandip Singh Gill said, “Among the dense crowd, a group was quickly coming down from the fort carrying torches. Our police team, who was there, advised them to slow down.”

“Meanwhile, someone from above pushed a person, then 4-5 people from the group fell. 3 people were injured in their legs,” he said.

The official said that police personnel at the scene immediately responded to the injured and ensured that people’s movement continued smoothly.

“We have sent additional police force and the movement of people is now happening smoothly,” he said.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CMs Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar attended the celebrations at the fort in Pune on Thursday, February 19, 2026.

Mr. Fadnavis and his Deputies participated in various programs at Shivneri, including the ‘cradle ceremony’ and naming rituals marking the birth of the legendary king.

The legendary warrior king was born on February 19, 1630, at Shivneri Fort in Pune district.