In Pune, a minor from an affluent family goes out to party with friends. Inebriated, he drives his father's Porsche worth two crores and collides with a motorcycle, claiming the lives of two young engineers. Despite the minor's status, he is granted bail within 15 hours, prompting a debate over the new Motor Vehicle Act's efficacy. Furthermore, accusations surfaced that post-arrest, the minor received VIP treatment including pizza and burgers. This situation has fueled social media trolling and public queries about the legality of his quick release and bail conditions.
The crash claimed the lives of two engineers from Madhya Pradesh, driven by a 17-year-old and eight-month son of a wealthy builder in Pune. After the accident, he tried to flee but was detained by the public and handed over to the police. Yet, shockingly, he received bail within just 15 hours. The Juvenile Justice Board penalized him with writing an essay on road accidents and collaborating with the Yerwada police for fifteen days. This leniency now raises concerns over whether a mere essay is a sufficient consequence for his actions, leaving the victims' families in a lifetime of anguish.
Source: aajtak
the families of the victims express after Pune car accident, accusing the young driver's affluent background for his quick bail.
Builder father of the accused arrested
As questions arose on social media and in the news, Pune police arrested the minor's builder father, furthering the inquiry by requesting the court permission to prosecute him as an adult. Surveillance footage from the restaurant where the underage driver partied and allegedly consumed alcohol before the fatal accident has also emerged, magnifying scrutiny of his actions at speeds exceeding 150 km/h.
Source: aajtak
Uddhav Thackeray's leader Sanjay Raut has accused the Maharashtra police of favoritism, demanding suspension of the police commissioner while questioning the assistance of an Ajit Pawar faction MLA to the accused. Public outcry grows amidst evidence of the accused consuming alcohol before the fatal crash, in contrast to initial police statements and medical reports.
Social media is flooded with criticism that wealthy individuals in India seem to operate above the law, with claims circulating that one can drive under the influence in India as long as they have rich parents. The public is questioning whether writing an essay is an adequate penalty for vehicular manslaughter, with demands surfacing for the revocation of the luxury car's registration.
Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar has denied allegations of providing pizza to the accused in jail, affirming strict enforcement from the get-go and committing to stringent action upon investigation findings of any police complicity.
Source: aajtak
Under the new Motor Vehicle Act introduced in 2019, hefty fines were instated for traffic violations, including stringent penalties for underage driving. Parents can face vehicle registration cancellation, a fine of 25,000 rupees, and up to three years' imprisonment if found guilty of allowing a minor to drive. Pune police have registered cases under IPC Section 304 (Culpable Homicide) and the Motor Vehicles Act, and are now pursuing the minor's father.
