A 17-year-old in Pune, Maharashtra, has been granted bail under unusual conditions following a tragic incident where he allegedly drove drunk and killed two people. The juvenile must now write a 300-word essay on the crash, work with the Yerwada traffic police for 15 days, and undergo treatment for alcohol dependency, submitting a report afterwards.
This decision has sparked outrage, with many criticizing the judiciary and current traffic laws. Pune Police have expressed their discontent, stating that the teen should be tried as an adult. They plan to appeal the decision in a higher court. The incident occurred on a Tuesday, resulting in the teenager’s arrest under the Motor Vehicles Act 2019 two days later.
This tragedy has intensified public debate on the adequacy of legal consequences for underage offenders in severe cases. Critics argue that the punishment is too lenient, questioning its effectiveness as a deterrent for similar future offences.
In the early hours of Sunday, May 19, a tragic accident occurred in Pune’Pune’Pune’Pune’sanirlity, resulting in the deaths of Aneesh Awadhiya and his friend Ashwini Koshta, both aged 24. The motorcycle they were riding was struck by a Porsche, allegedly driven by a 17-year-old.
Ashwini Koshta died instantly at the scene, while Aneesh Awadhiya succumbed to his injuries shortly after being transported to a city hospital. Pune Police quickly launched an investigation and arrested the minor, who is believed to have been behind the wheel of the luxury car during the crash. According to Pune Commissioner of Police Amitesh Kumar, the teenager, belonging to a prominent realtor’s celebrating his Class XII exam results at a local pub and had consumed alcohol before the incident.
The accident occurred around 2:30 a.m. when the teen, heading home from the bar, lost control of the vehicle and collided with the motorcycle at the Kalyani Nagar junction. The FIR registered by Assistant Police Inspector Vishwanath Todkari at Yerwada Police Station revealed that the minor admitted his father had given him the grey Porsche despite knowing that he lacked both a driver learning and a driver’s licence. The FIR also stated that the father allowed his son to party and consume alcohol.
Deputy Commissioner of Pune City Police Vijay Kumar Magar arrested the juvenile and charged him with rash and negligent driving, causing harm by endangering life or personal safety under IPC sections 304A, 279, 337, 338, and 427. The minor also faces charges under relevant Maharashtra Motor Vehicle Act sections.
Following his apprehension, the 17-year-old was presented before the holiday court on Sunday afternoon. Authorities sought his custody and permission to try him as an adult. However, the court refused and granted him bail within 14 hours of the incident under specific conditions. The court did not deem the crime committed by the juvenile to be severe enough to deny bail.
The teenager, Prashant Patil, outlined the conditions for bail. The 17-year-old must work with the Yerwada traffic police for 15 days and write a 300-word essay on the ‘effects of road accidents and their solutions.’ Additionally, he is required to undergo treatment for alcohol dependency and receive psychiatric counselling, submitting the treatment report to the court.
The bail decision has sparked widespread outrage. Some have called the judgment “a joke,” others sarcastically hope the teen will write an impressive essay to satisfy the judge. Following the outrage, Maharashtra’s Deputy CM, Devendra Fadnavis, contacted Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar and asked him to ensure there was no soft-pedalling against the accused in the Porsche hit-and-run case. Commissioner Kumar said that they would appeal the order to a higher court.
On Tuesday, May 21, Pune Police detained the father of the teen from Aurangabad. The father, a prominent realtor, had been on the run since the incident and is now being brought back to Pune for further investigation.
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The father faces charges under sections 75 and 77 of the Juvenile Justice Act. Section 75 pertains to the will or neglect of a child or exposing a child to mental or physical illnesses, while section 77 addresses supplying a child with intoxicating liquor or drugs. According to the FIR, despite knowing his son lacked a valid driving license, the father gave him the Porsche, thereby endangering his life, and allowed him to party, fully aware that his son consumed alcohol.
Additionally, Pune Police have arrested Pralhad Bhutda, the owner of Cosie restaurant, and managers Sachin Katkar and Sandip Sangle of Hotel Blak for allegedly serving alcohol to the minor. Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) Shailesh Balkawade confirmed these arrests.
As per the first post reports, under the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019, parents/guardians of juveniles shall be held guilty in case of an offence by a juvenile. The law mandates that a fine of Rs 25,000 with years imprisonment will be imposed, and the juvenile will be tried under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act. At the same time, the registration of the vehicle will be cancelled.
The law also states that the juvenile shall not be granted a DriveDriver’snce until the minor is 25. This change was introduced after a parliamentary p suggested higher traffic offences penalties. In fact, the p had recommended treating accidents caused by drunk driving and repeated crimes rather than as casesnegligencegence’.
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