Pune Porche Accident- Maharashtra HM Devendra Fadnavis reaches Pune CP office, seeks report
"How can the Juvenile Justice Board pass such an order," Maharashtra HM Devendra Fadnavis
New Delhi, May 22
After immense outrage on the Pune Porche accident, Maharashtra Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis also made a surprise visit at the Pune Police Commissioner office and took stock of the situation.
The 17-year-old son of realtor Vishal Aggarwal had killed killed the two IT professionals, identified as Anis Awadhiya and Ashwini Costa, from Madhya Pradesh with his over speeding Porche in an inebriated state.
Addressing the media after meeting the Pune CP, Devdendra Fadnavis stated that Pune police has approached the HC to the juvenile as an adult in the case. The juvenile was granted bail by the district court in 14 hours of the incident.
Fadnavis questioned the Juvenile Justice Board's decision, emphasising that such a penalty is inadequate for the gravity of the crime.
"How can the Juvenile Justice Board pass such an order," he questioned.
The Deputy CM, further updating on the steps taken by the government, stated, "We've lodged an appeal with the district court against the decision of the Juvenile Justice Board. There's considerable public outrage, and I've reviewed the progress of the investigation thus far".
He further said, "The minor involved in the incident is 17 years and 8 months old. In light of the Nirbhaya case, where anyone above 16 years old was considered an adult in cases of heinous crimes, this aspect is particularly significant".
After absconding from Pune, Agarwal was arrested from Aurangabad by Pune police. Agarwal had changed SIMs and changed cars to evade police.
Meanwhile, the Maharashtra Transport Commissioner has barred the minor accused from getting a driving licence till he turns 25.
The transport officials also noted that the permanent registration of the Porsche Taycan had been pending since March since the owner did not pay a fee of Rs 1,758. The car was running on the streets of Pune after being bought from Bengaluru, since March without permanent registration with the RTO.
The police have seized a bill of Rs 48,000 from Cozie Bar in Koregaon Park, where the minor had gone prior to the accident and arrested the bar owner for serving alcohol to minors.
The Deputy CM also highlighted the government's measures to prevent similar incidents in the future, stating, "The administration has been put on alert to take appropriate action against pubs found in violation, and the police will conduct drink-driving checks at key locations".
The accident has triggered a political controversy, with Sanjay Raut, a leader from the Uddhav Thackeray camp, questioning the Pune Police over the purported delay in taking action against the teenager.
