In a significant development following the tragic incident in which a 17-year-old boy killed two people with his father’s Porsche, the owner and manager of the bar that allegedly served the minor alcohol have been arrested. The police action comes amid growing scrutiny of the events leading to the fatal crash.
The minor driver’s father was apprehended on Tuesday morning from Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra, and subsequently brought to Pune. He had been on the run since the incident occurred, according to Pune police commissioner Amitesh Kumar. The father is accused of allowing his underage son to drive the high-end car without a license.
The tragedy unfolded when the 17-year-old, who is just four months shy of his 18th birthday, lost control of the Porsche, resulting in the deaths of two pedestrians. The car, bought for the teenager by his father in March, was reportedly unregistered at the time of the accident.
In addition to the bar owner and manager, two other restaurant license holders were detained. They, along with the boy’s father, face charges under various sections of the Motor Vehicles Act (MVA) and the Juvenile Justice Act (JJA). The police are alleging that the restaurants involved served alcohol to the minor, which contributed to the catastrophic outcome.
The Juvenile Justice Board initially ordered the minor's release within hours of his detention, with conditions that included writing an essay reflecting on the accident, seeking help to give up drinking, and performing voluntary work with the Pune traffic police. This decision sparked outrage in the community, as many felt the punishment was not commensurate with the severity of the incident.
However, the Pune police are pushing for a harsher penalty. “On Sunday itself we had moved an application before the Juvenile Justice court (board) seeking permission to try the juvenile as an adult and send him to an observation home as the crime is heinous, but the plea was rejected. We are now approaching the sessions court with the same plea,” said Kumar.
The case highlights serious concerns about parental responsibility and the enforcement of laws regarding underage drinking and driving. The community is closely watching the proceedings, demanding justice for the victims and stricter measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.