Pune luxury car accident: CM Shinde ordered strict action, says Police Commissioner

Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar/ File Photo

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis have instructed the police to take strict action regarding Pune luxury car accident involving a 17-year-old boy that resulted in the deaths of two individuals, according to Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar.

The accident occurred early Sunday morning in Pune's Kalyani Nagar region, when a Porsche driven by a juvenile who was reportedly under the influence of alcohol collided with and killed two motorbike riders.

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Days after the Pune luxury car accident, authorities apprehended the boy's father, a real estate mogul, and arrested three hotel executives for supplying alcohol to minors.

"The chief minister, the deputy chief minister and home minister (Fadnavis), and the (Pune) guardian minister (Deputy CM Ajit Pawar) have given clear instructions to the police to take stringent action in this case. The state Director General of Police has also instructed for strong action," Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar said, addressing public concerns about the adequacy of police action in the case.

He emphasised the commitment of both the government and the police to ensure accountability.

Kumar denied charges of police pressure and insisted that their activities were perfectly legal. He invited legal specialists to consider the possibility of more rigorous legal sanctions and said, "I mentioned yesterday that we are ready to discuss every legal step taken by the police. We have taken the most stringent possible action. If legal experts believe there are more stringent provisions available, they should come forward for a public discussion."

Initially, the youngster was accused under Indian Penal Code Sections 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and 304A (causing death through negligence). They also requested court permission to try the juvenile as an adult in Pune luxury car accident owing to the gravity of the act, but their request was denied. The police have appealed to the district sessions court and are awaiting a judgement.

"We also moved an application before a court seeking permission to treat the juvenile as an adult due to the heinous nature of the act. Unfortunately, the court rejected our application. We have now approached the district sessions court and are awaiting the judgment," he said while talking about the police's plea in Pune luxury car accident.

Kumar stated that the juvenile's blood report is waiting, but CCTV footage and restaurant bill payments show alcohol consumption. He also ensured that any police personnel discovered to be giving preferential treatment to the juvenile would face strict action.

The victims, Anis Awadhiya and Ashwini Costa, both 24-year-old IT professionals from Madhya Pradesh, were killed when the speeding Porsche hit their motorcycle at 3:15 am on Sunday. The juvenile was granted bail by the Juvenile Justice Board shortly after the Pune luxury car accident.

In addition to the charges against the juvenile, the police have charged his father under sections 75 and 77 of the Juvenile Justice Act and have targeted the bar owners and staff for serving alcohol to a minor. The investigation of these cases has been transferred to the crime branch.