In a recent development in Pune, a juvenile involved in a fatal accident while allegedly driving under the influence has come under increased scrutiny as the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) is set to decide if he will be tried as an adult. The 17-year-old is accused of driving a Porsche and causing the deaths of two motorbike-borne software engineers in Kalyani Nagar early Sunday.
Ahead of the crucial hearing, Pune police have added several charges against the teenager, including violations of traffic rules through rash or dangerous driving, driving without a valid license, and general provisions for the punishment of offenses under the Motor Vehicle Act.
Simultaneously, the father of the teenager, Vishal Agarwal, a real estate developer, has been sent to two days of police custody. According to court documents, Agarwal was deemed uncooperative during the police investigation. Police also noted that Agarwal misled them about his whereabouts when called to join the investigation and was arrested in Aurangabad instead of his claimed location in Shirdi. During his arrest, Agarwal had in his possession a basic Nokia phone and a car manufactured by Kia, both of which have been confiscated.
The case against Agarwal includes severe allegations under the Juvenile Justice Act for willful neglect of a child and supplying intoxicating substances to a minor, along with relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The FIR highlights that despite being aware his son lacked a driving license and had a history of consuming alcohol, Agarwal allowed his son to use the vehicle and partake in social activities where alcohol was consumed, thereby endangering his life and others’.
