Pune police on Tuesday morning arrested the father of the 17-year-old boy who was involved in a fatal car crash killing two people. As per reports, Vishal Agrawal was arrested from Maharashtra's Aurangabad.
Moreover, police have also taken into custody the owner and the manager of the bar that allegedly served alcohol to the 17-year-old boy. They are booked under Sections 75 and 77 of the Juvenile Justice Act. These sections pertain to willful neglect of a child and providing intoxicating substances to a minor, respectively. The investigation is now transferred to the crime branch of Pune Police.
About the Porsche car crash
On Sunday, the fatal accident took place in the early hours in Pune's Kalyani Nagar area when a luxury Porsche, driven by the 17-year-old in question, collided with a motorcycle. The accident led to instant death of Anis Awadhiya and Ashwini Costa. Later, the CCTV footage revealed that the car was travelling at an estimated speed of 200 kmph in a narrow lane.
Pune Posche Crash: Investigation so far
Pune Commissioner of Police Amitesh Kumar said on Sunday the 17-year-old boy was celebrating his class 12 results at a local pub, where he was seen consuming alcohol before the crash.
The bar ownerand manager, who were also facing charges for serving alcohol to a minor as the legal drinking age in Maharashtra is 25, got arrested today.
The Juvenile Justice Board's decision to grant the minor bail just 15 hours after his detention led to intense public outrage.
Besides, the board has also imposed a series of rehabilitative conditions, including mandatory counselling, a de-addiction program, and a 300-word essay on road safety. This lenient response has been widely criticised given the severity of the accident.
In response to the bail decision, Pune police have filed an application with the sessions court to try the juvenile as an adult. This move is grounded in the belief that the crime's gravity warrants harsher judicial scrutiny.
What did the families of the victims say?
The uncle of one of the victims slammed the Maharashtra Police for inaction.
Called the 17-year-old a "human bomb", Akhilesh Awadhiya, uncle of one of the victims Aneesh Awadhiya, said the bail conditions imposed on the accused teenager were ridiculous.
"According to the new act, the punishment should be seven years. Bail conditions are ridiculous. They are even taught to students of Class 5. He was driving a car worth Rs 3 crore. Just because he is the son of a business tycoon, he was released," Akhilesh Awadhiya added.
Awadhiya further added, "The accused, a minor, was drunk and was driving at 240 km per hour. He did not have a driving licence. This is murder, not accident."
Furious over the bail granted to the accused, the family of another victim of the accident, Ashwini Koshta's family said "We are in shock. It is condemnable that he got bail in 15 hours. He and his parents should be investigated. We will discuss the matter once Ashwini's last rites are over."
