An Indian city is outraged after a teenager who allegedly killed two people while driving drunk was ordered to write an essay as punishment, with many demanding a harsher sentence and accusing the judiciary of leniency. The case had repercussions throughout the country.
The 17-year-old boy was speeding in a Porsche in the city of Pune on Sunday (19) when the vehicle crashed into a motorcycle, killing two people, according to the deputy chief minister of Maharashtra state, Devendra Fadnavis. .
The juvenile was taken into custody and later presented to the Juvenile Justice Board, where he was released on bail and given 15 days of community service. He was also asked to write an essay on road safety, Fadnavis said.
“The outrage grew after that. According to police, the boy is 17 years and 8 months old. This is a heinous crime,” he told reporters on Tuesday, pointing to 2015 changes to India’s juvenile laws that allow children over 16 to be tried as adults if they allegedly commit a “heinous” crime.
“This was a surprising order passed (by the Juvenile Justice Board),” Fadnavis said.
A CNN tried to contact the driver's supposed lawyer, Prashant Patil, to seek a position.
Fadnavis added that the Pune police are investigating the minor for culpable homicide not amounting to murder. They also asked the Children's Court to review their bail order, he said.
Security camera video, reportedly filmed moments before the crash, shows a white Porsche speeding down a busy main road. People can be seen rushing to the scene of the accident, which is not depicted in the video that was shared widely on social media and broadcast on local news channels.
The minor's father was arrested for allegedly allowing his son to drive despite being a minor, according to Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar. The legal driving age in India is 18 years.
Three people who served alcohol to the minor were also arrested, Kumar added.
“We have taken the strictest approach possible and will do everything in our power to ensure that the two young lives that were lost get justice and the accused is appropriately punished,” he said.
The incident dominated headlines in India and sparked widespread anger, with many taking to social media to condemn the boy's bail conditions.
Suresh Koshta, whose 24-year-old daughter was killed in the accident, called on authorities to take tougher action against the alleged driver.
“It was wrong (to allow the minor to drive),” he told reporters outside his home as he cried. “You have to know how to drive first.”
Rahul Gandhi, leader of India's main opposition Indian National Congress, questioned whether a bus or taxi driver would receive the same punishment.
“If a 16-17 year old son from a rich family, driving a Porsche under the influence of alcohol, is caught, he is asked to write an essay,” Gandhi said in a video posted to are assigned to truck or bus drivers?”
This is not the first time that a court's verdict has been analyzed in this way.
In 2015, Bollywood star Salman Khan, who was facing a long prison sentence for a hit-and-run, was granted a reprieve when the Mumbai High Court threw out his conviction due to lack of evidence, causing widespread outrage.
“Based on evidence produced by the prosecution, the appellant cannot be convicted no matter how differently the common man thinks,” the court said.
The incident occurred outside a bakery in Mumbai in September 2002, with prosecutors saying Khan ran over five sleeping men after losing control of his vehicle. He was returning from a bar after a night of drinking, they said.
The actor said he was not driving. One of the victims died; the others were injured.
Source: CNN Brasil
Bruce Belcher is a seasoned author with over 5 years of experience in world news. He writes for online news websites and provides in-depth analysis on the world stock market. Bruce is known for his insightful perspectives and commitment to keeping the public informed.
