In a tragic incident in Pune, a 17-year-old boy driving a Porsche at high speed crashed into a bike, killing two young techies. The accident, which occurred at 2:15 am, resulted in the deaths of Aneesh Awadhiya and Ashwini Koshta, both 24 years old. The high-speed car, reportedly going at 200 km per hour, hit the bike, causing Ashwini to be thrown 20 feet into the air and Aneesh to crash into a parked car. Both died instantly.
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Following the crash, the car hit the pavement and stopped due to the deployment of airbags. The driver, trying to flee, was caught by locals who also apprehended two other occupants of the car. One of these occupants managed to escape. The incident took place in the early hours of the morning, and an auto-rickshaw operator waiting nearby described how the crowd beat up the driver and the other occupant who were caught.
The driver, a minor four months shy of his 18th birthday, had been partying with friends to celebrate passing their Class 12 exams at a pub. The legal age for driving in India is 18, and for consuming alcohol, it is 25. Despite these regulations, the boy and his friends were reportedly under the influence of alcohol when the accident happened. This has raised serious concerns about the enforcement of road safety and underage drinking laws.
The police have charged the boy with rash and negligent driving and causing harm by endangering life, which could lead to a maximum of two years in jail and a fine. More significantly, his father, a prominent realtor in the city, and the pub that served the minor alcohol are also facing charges. The father has been charged under Section 75 of the Juvenile Justice Act, which deals with willful neglect of a child, potentially leading to up to three years in jail and a fine of ₹1 lakh. The pub faces charges under Section 77 of the same act for supplying alcohol to a minor, which can result in up to seven years in jail.
Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar stated that the police had requested the court to treat the boy as an adult due to the severity of the crime. The minor was, however, granted bail within 15 hours of the incident, which included conditions such as writing a 300-word essay and undergoing treatment and counseling for alcohol addiction. This decision to grant bail has sparked outrage and a debate about the legal system’s handling of such serious cases.
The event has highlighted the need for stricter enforcement of traffic and drinking laws. Anurag Kulshrestha, who heads an NGO focused on road safety, expressed his frustration with the current state of law enforcement. He mentioned that attempts to enforce the helmet rule in Pune faced opposition from all political parties, demonstrating a broader societal issue with adhering to safety regulations.
This incident is a stark reminder of the dangers of underage drinking and reckless driving. It also points to the need for more responsible behavior from both parents and establishments serving alcohol. The fact that a minor could access alcohol and then get behind the wheel of a high-speed car shows significant lapses in the system. The tragedy has left the families of the victims in immense grief and the community in shock.
The aftermath of the accident is likely to lead to stricter scrutiny of pubs and their policies on serving alcohol to minors. It may also push for more robust checks on young drivers. The police and legal system are under pressure to ensure that justice is served and that such incidents are prevented in the future.
The issue of road safety in India is multifaceted, involving not just the enforcement of laws but also changing societal attitudes towards driving and drinking. The government and law enforcement agencies need to work together with NGOs and community leaders to educate the public and enforce laws more stringently. This tragic event could serve as a catalyst for such changes, leading to a safer environment on the roads.
In summary, the tragic accident caused by the 17-year-old boy in Pune has led to serious legal consequences for his father and the pub that served him alcohol. The incident has highlighted the urgent need for stricter enforcement of road safety and drinking laws, and has sparked a broader discussion about societal attitudes towards these issues. The hope is that this tragic event will lead to more stringent measures to prevent such incidents in the future, ensuring the safety of all road users.