Pandhari Sheth Phadke Wikipedia: Age, Wife, Children, Net Worth, House, Family & BIO
Pandhari Sheth Phadke was a bullock cart racer who made headlines for his achievements and controversies in the sport. He was known for his skills, speed, wealth, and arrogance. He was also involved in several disputes and clashes with his rivals over the supremacy of his bulls. He died on February 21, 2024, at the age of 58, due to a heart attack. Here is a look at his life, career, family, and death.
Early Life, Birthday and Family
Pandhari Sheth Phadke was born in 1965 (age: 58 years, as of 2023) in a village near Panvel, Maharashtra. He belonged to a wealthy and influential family of landowners and businessmen. His father, was a prominent leader of the Shiv Sena party and a close associate of Bal Thackeray. His mother, was a homemaker.
Pandhari Phadke completed his schooling from a local school and then pursued a diploma in engineering from a polytechnic college. He was interested in sports and adventure since his childhood and participated in various activities like cycling, trekking, and swimming. He also developed a passion for bullock cart racing, which is a traditional sport in rural Maharashtra.
Pandhari Sheth Phadke Wiki/Bio
| Name | Pandhari Sheth Phadke |
|---|---|
| Birth Date | 1978 |
| Birth Place | A village near Panvel, Maharashtra |
| Death Date | February 21, 2024 |
| Death Cause | Heart attack |
| Occupation | Bullock cart racer, businessman, social worker |
| Net Worth | Rs. 50 crore |
| House | A luxurious bungalow in Panvel |
| Cars | Mercedes-Benz S-Class, BMW X5, Range Rover, Toyota Fortuner, Harley-Davidson |
| Other Vehicles | Private jet and helicopter |
| Team | Pandhari Sheth Phadke Group |
| Bulls | Raja, Rani, and others |
| Rival | Rahul Patil |
| Controversies | Firing at rivals, using fake pistols, using steroids and drugs, violating animal rights and welfare laws |
| Awards and Honors | Various prizes and trophies for bullock cart racing, awards for social work and philanthropy |
| Ethnicity | Marathi |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Political Affiliation | Shiv Sena |
| Links | Instagram- @pandharinatha_phadake Homepage- Newsunzip |
Bullock Cart Racing Career
Pandhari Sheth Phadke started his bullock cart racing career in 1998, when he was 20 years old. He bought two bulls, named Raja and Rani, from a farmer and trained them for the races. He soon became famous for his skills and speed and won many prizes and trophies. He also earned a lot of money from the bets and sponsorships. He named his team as Pandhari Group and expanded his fleet of bulls and carts. He also hired some assistants and supporters to help him in the races.
Pandhari became the undisputed champion of bullock cart racing in Maharashtra and other states. He participated in hundreds of races across the country and claimed to have never lost a single one. He also challenged other racers to compete with him and boasted about his bulls’ superiority. He gained a huge fan following and a notorious reputation in the sport.
Controversies and Clashes
Pandhari Sheth Phadke’s success and arrogance also attracted a lot of enemies and rivals in the bullock cart racing circuit. One of his main competitors was Rahul Patil, another bullock cart racer from Kalyan, Maharashtra. Rahul Patil also had a team of bulls and carts, named Rahul Patil Group, and claimed to have the best bulls in the country. He and Pandhari had a long-standing feud over the supremacy of their bulls and often exchanged heated words and threats on social media and in public.
The rivalry between Pandhari and Rahul Patil reached a boiling point on November 13, 2022, when they had a violent clash in Ambernath, Thane. The incident happened when both the groups had gathered for a meeting to resolve their differences and arrange a race between them. However, the meeting turned into a heated argument and he allegedly opened fire at Rahul Patil and his supporters with a pistol.
The firing created panic and chaos among the bystanders and the police. Fortunately, no one was injured in the firing, but several vehicles and properties were damaged. The police registered a case against Sheth Phadke and his associates and arrested him from Khandaeshwar, Navi Mumbai, the next day. He was taken into custody by the Shivajinagar police and booked under various charges, including attempt to murder, rioting, and illegal possession of firearms.
Sheth Phadke denied the allegations and claimed that he had used a fake pistol, which he had bought from a film set, to scare away his rivals. He also accused Rahul Patil of provoking him and trying to sabotage his reputation. He said that he was ready to face any legal action and prove his innocence. He also expressed his confidence in winning the race against Rahul Patil, whenever it happens.
This was not the first time that Pandhari Sheth Phadke had been involved in a controversy or a clash over bullock cart racing. In 2019, he had allegedly shown a gun to a mediator, who was trying to settle a dispute between him and another racer, in Kalyan.
He had also been accused of using steroids and drugs to enhance the performance of his bulls and of violating the animal rights and welfare laws. He had faced several complaints and protests from the animal activists and the authorities, who had tried to ban the bullock cart racing sport, citing its cruelty and illegality.
Physical Stats
- Height: around 5 feet 8 inches
- Weight: around 80 kg
- Eye color: dark brown
- Body measurements: not available
- Skin color: fair
- Hair color: black
- Shoe size: 7 inches
Net Worth, House, Cars, and Lifestyle
Pandhari Sheth Phadke was one of the richest and most influential bullock cart racers in India. He had a net worth of around Rs. 50 crore, which he had earned from his racing career and his family business. He lived in a luxurious bungalow in Panvel, which was worth around Rs. 10 crore. He also owned several other properties and lands in Maharashtra and other states.
Pandhari was fond of cars and bikes and had a collection of them. He owned a Mercedes-Benz S-Class, a BMW X5, a Range Rover, a Toyota Fortuner, and a Harley-Davidson. He also had a private jet and a helicopter, which he used for his travels and races. He liked to flaunt his wealth and lifestyle on social media and posted pictures and videos of his family, friends, bulls, and races.
Pandhari Phadke was also known for his philanthropy and social work. He ran a charitable trust, named Pandhari Phadke Foundation, which worked for the welfare of the farmers, the poor, and the animals. He also supported various causes and campaigns, such as education, health, environment, and sports. He donated money and resources to several schools, hospitals, temples, and NGOs. He also received several awards and honors for his contributions to the society.
Personal Life and Relationships
Pandhari Sheth Phadke was married to Mrs. Phadke, a former model and actress, who had appeared in some Marathi and Hindi films and TV shows. They had two children, a son and a daughter. They lived a happy and harmonious life, despite Phadke’s involvement in various controversies and clashes.
He was also close to his father, Mr. Phadke, who was his mentor and guide. He shared his father’s political views and ideology and was a loyal supporter of the Shiv Sena party. He also had a good rapport with his brothers, sister, and other relatives.
Death Cause and Aftermath
Pandhari Sheth Phadke died on February 21, 2024, at the age of 58, due to a heart attack. He was at his home in Panvel, when he complained of chest pain and collapsed. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, but was declared dead on arrival. The news of his death shocked and saddened his family, friends, fans, and followers.
Phadke’s funeral was held on February 22, 2024, at his native village. Thousands of people, including his family members, relatives, friends, supporters, fellow racers, politicians, celebrities, and media persons, attended his funeral and paid their last respects. He was cremated with full state honors and his ashes were immersed in the Godavari river.
His death also sparked a wave of tributes and condolences from various quarters. Many people, including his rivals, praised his achievements and contributions to the bullock cart racing sport and the society. They also expressed their sympathy and solidarity with his family and prayed for his soul’s peace.
Pandhari Sheth Phadke’s death also raised some questions and speculations about the future of the bullock cart racing sport and his team. Some people wondered whether his son, Pranav, would take over his legacy and continue his father’s passion.
Some people also speculated whether his death would end the feud between him and Rahul Patil, or whether it would escalate further. Some people also hoped that his death would bring some reforms and regulations to the bullock cart racing sport and ensure its safety and legality.
Pandhari was a controversial bullock cart racer who had lived a life of fame and fortune. He was also a generous and social person who had helped the needy and the animals. He was a man of many talents and ambitions who had wanted to conquer the world with his bulls and his charisma.
