Police detain five individuals, along with Vishal Agarwal, the minor’s father and a real estate developer

• Road car crash in Pune  
• Accused boy charged with culpable homicide

Pune – A minor boy, driving a luxurious car under the influence of alcohol, rammed into a two-wheeler in Kalyani Nagar, killing the two bikers on the spot. The man and woman on the bike were 24 years of age. The local political parties and social organisations have strongly demanded severe action against the accused. The father of the accused minor, Vishal Agarwal, who is a real estate developer, has been arrested by the Police from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. Along with him, Cozy restaurant’s two workers, owner Pralhad Bhutda, and manager Sachin Katkar have been arrested for serving alcohol to a minor. Hotel Black’s owner Sandip Sangle was also arrested on 21st May 2024 when the accused teen and his friends went from Cozy restaurant. It has been observed in the CCTV footage that the boy was driving under the influence of alcohol. A case of culpable homicide has been registered against him.

The Court dismissed the demand to detain the accused minor in Police custody for 14 days. The local MLA Sunil Tingre’s name is being linked in this matter and for pressuring the Police. Sunil Tingre has, however, refuted all allegations against him.

CM calls Pune Police Commissioner

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde called up Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar and instructed him to take stringent action without trying to support anyone or paying heed to any political pressure.

The statement recorded by the minor boy

In the statement recorded by the minor boy in this case, he says, he is not a trained driver. He doesn’t have a driving licence. His father gave him the luxurious grey-coloured Porsche car and allowed him to go to a hotel to party with his friends. His father knows about his drinking habit.

The Porsche car that crashed in the accident is not registered

It has been found that the Porsche car is without a number plate and has no registration. The car’s cost is about Rs 2 crores. It has a temporary registration no. of Bengaluru and was brought to Pune. Even Pune Police are, therefore, questioned in this case.

Police ordered Pizza and a burger for the accused boy in Police Station

The accused boy got special treatment from the Police. The accused boy driving the car and his friend were brought to Yerawada Police Station. His family ordered pizza and a burger for them with the permission of a senior Police Officer. A Policeman took these items to the Police Station from the back door.

The Juvenile Court asks the accused boy to write an essay of 300 words on the accident as a punishment

The boy is a minor; therefore, the Police have filed a charge sheet against him with clauses under bailable offence. Hence, he immediately got bail. The accused boy should stand with a traffic Police and manage the traffic for 15 days; get treatment from a psychiatrist for giving up drinking, write an essay of 300 words on the accident and extend help whenever he sees a road accident, in future.

State Home Minister Devendra Fadanvis expresses shock over Juvenile Justice Board’s order

In a press conference held on 21st May 2024, State Home Minister Devendra Fadanvis expressed his views on the car accident. He stated that the Police gave every proof of the incident to the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB); still, the order passed by JJB was shocking for the Police. After the incident, the Police submitted a report to JJB, registering a case under clause 304. The accused boy is 17 years and 8 months old; therefore, JJB granted him bail. After the ‘Nirbhaya’ murder case, however, there have been amendments in JJB under which, if a boy is older than 16 years, he should be treated as an adult, but JJB didn’t take this into account and granted bail to the accused. Fadanvis added that the Court’s decision was shocking even for the Police since they submitted every proof in this case. The Police moved the higher Court but it asked them to first go to JJB. Another application will be filed. If JJB fails to see the seriousness of the crime, the Police will apply in higher Court.