- By Akanksha Verma
- Sat, 25 May 2024 10:42 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Pune Porsche Crash: Pune police on Saturday arrested the grandfather of the teenager who drove the Porsche car which hit a motorcycle, killing two engineers on May 19. Surendra Kumar Agarwal was arrested by the Crime Branch for allegedly helping the minor accused abscond. A separate FIR has been registered against him under sections 365 and 368 of the IPC, said Pune Commissioner of Police Amitesh Kumar.
The arrest was made on the basis of the driver's statement, where it has been alleged that the family kept the driver confined and forced him to take the blame. Sharing the details regarding the initial statement of the driver, Kumar said, "When the driver was first brought to the Police Station from the spot, the first statement which he gave in writing was that he was driving the car. But the Police at that point in time did not believe the statement of the driver and after a preliminary inquiry, they registered an offence against the juvenile accused because it was evident prima facie that the juvenile accused was driving the vehicle."
"The family threatened the driver to take the blame. The driver was kept confined. The driver wasn't behind the wheel. Family (of accused minor) tried to bribe the driver," the Pune Police Commissioner said.
Pune Porsche Crash: Here are the top updates from the case
- On Friday, Pune builder Vishal S Agarwal, who had been arrested on May 21 in the case, was sent to 14-day judicial custody. Vishal Agarwal currently faces charges under two sections of the Juvenile Justice Act for "failing to carry out his duties as a guardian". He has been accused of letting his underage son party despite being aware of his habit of alcohol consumption. The Pune real estate developer has also been booked under Motor Vehicles Act for allowing his minor son to drive without a proper driver’s licence. The car, bought in March this year, was also running without a licence plate.
- The Pune builder is further likely to be booked under more sections for attempting to destroy evidence as he allegedly asked his driver to take the blame for the crime. Vishal Agarwal also provided false information on the Porsche car he had bought from Bengaluru two months ago.
- Six other accused were sent to judicial custody along with Agarwal on Friday. These included the owner and employees of two pubs where the juvenile allegedly consumed alcohol before the accident.
- The minor accused, who was initially released on bail within hours of arrest, was later sent to Nehru Udyog Kendra Observation Home till June 5.
- The Pune Police have retraced the route taken by the vehicle after it zoomed off from the Cosie Restaurant and Blak hotel and scanned the CCTV footage en route till the point it crashed into motorcycle and killed two techies from Madhya Pradesh -- Ashwini Koshta and her friend Aneesh Awadhiya -- instantly, sparking a nationwide uproar.
- A forensic team carried out a detailed investigation of the car which was in the custody of the Yerawada Police Station. The forensic report on the Porsche car was expected soon, news agency IANS reported.
- The Pune Police on Friday said the minor accused was "fully in his senses" at the time of the accident. Commissioner of Police Amitesh Kumar said the police have prepared a watertight case which can put the juvenile behind bars for 10 years.
- The accident led to massive outrage with people demanding action against bars and pubs flouting rules and regulations in the city. Following the uproar, the authorities have initiated action against over 40 bars and pubs over the past three days. The pubs were found violating various norms regarding serving liquor to minors, closure timings, among others.
