In response to the Juvenile Justice Board granting bail to a teenager involved in a fatal car accident, Pune police have announced their intention to seek permission from a higher court to prosecute the accused as an adult. The incident, which resulted in the death of two individuals, occurred in the early hours of Sunday in Pune’s Kalyani Nagar area.
The 17-year-old, allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol, collided with a motorcycle, claiming the lives of Anis Awadhiya and Ashwini Costa, both IT professionals aged 24. While the Juvenile Justice Board granted bail to the accused, it also directed him to write a 300-word essay on road accidents and their solutions and undergo counselling at an alcohol deaddiction center.
Despite the bail, criticism has emerged regarding the swift decision in a case involving fatalities. Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar revealed that efforts to try the juvenile as an adult were initially rejected by the board. However, the police plan to approach the sessions court with the same plea.
Meanwhile, the police have registered a case against the teenager’s father under the Juvenile Justice Act for willful neglect and against the bar for serving alcohol to a minor. The investigation has been transferred to the crime branch.
Local residents have long been protesting against the proliferation of pubs and bars in the area, citing disturbances and nuisance. While efforts have been made to address the issue, residents are advocating for stricter regulations and increased police presence to prevent similar accidents.
Commissioner Amitesh Kumar assured that steps are being taken to enforce closing hours for bars and enhance police patrols to ensure public safety.
