Porsche accident: Forgery, criminal conspiracy charges added against teen's father
What's the story
The father of a 17-year-old Pune teenager who drove a Porsche into a bike in a drunk state, killing two people last week is now facing additional charges.
The city-based real estate mogul has been accused of forgery, criminal conspiracy, and destruction of evidence.
Previously charged under the Juvenile Justice Act for willful neglect of his child, he was arrested while trying to evade the police.
Context
Why does this story matter?
Early Sunday morning, the reportedly inebriated minor drove a Porsche into two motorcycle-borne software engineers, Aneesh Awadhiya (24) and Ashwini Koshta (24), killing them both.
The case and the subsequent bail granted to the minor under the JJA sparked sharp criticism and protests.
As part of the bail conditions, the minor was required to work with Yerwada traffic police for 15 days and write an essay on the accident.
Information
Early probe proceedings, backlash
Pune Police filed a review petition with the Juvenile Justice Board, seeking to try the boy as an adult and review the May 19 order. On Tuesday, the boy's father, a prominent Pune builder, was arrested. On Wednesday, the JJB canceled the 17-year-old's bail and remanded him in custody for 14 days, but withheld a decision on treating him as an adult amid widespread outrage.
Legal proceedings
Tycoon's arrest and pending court appearance
The teen's father is currently in jail until June 7 on charges of cheating for reportedly failing to pay the ₹1,758 registration fee for the Porsche electric sports car involved in the incident.
The Pune Crime Branch, which has taken over all related cases, is expected to produce him before a district court.
To recall, he was arrested last Monday while he was on the run.
Family involvement
Grandfather arrested, accused of wrongful confinement
On Saturday, the grandfather of the 17-year-old boy from Pune was arrested.
The detention came after the family's driver alleged that the grandfather wrongfully confined him and pressured him to accept responsibility for the crash.
Based on the driver's complaint, the Yerawada Police has registered a separate offense against the teen's grandfather and father under Indian Penal Code Sections 365 (kidnapping with intent to secretly and wrongfully confine a person) and 368 (wrongfully concealing or keeping a person in confinement).
Ongoing investigation
Investigation into evidence tampering and protocol lapses
Separately, two doctors were also arrested for allegedly tampering with the blood test report of the teenager.
Police have alleged that evidence was tampered with at the boy's house and are investigating potential lapses in protocol following the incident.
The father's mobile phone, left at home to avoid being tracked, is now with police and will be examined by an expert.