Addressing the media, CP Kumar emphasized that from the outset, the police have acted decisively, registering the offence under Section 304 (culpable homicide that does not amount to murder) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), ensuring the case was presented in court for trial, and taking action against the father of the accused and the pub owners under the Juvenile Justice Act.
“From the very first day, whether it was registering the offence under Section 304 of the IPC or presenting it in court for trial or initiating action against the father and pub owners under the Juvenile Justice Act, the police’s role has been integral from the beginning. Yesterday, I also mentioned that we have an open challenge: any panel of legal experts can come before us and suggest a more stringent approach than the one we have taken, and I am ready for that discussion,” Kumar said.
“I responsibly state that the police have adopted the most stringent possible measures as per legal provisions and have been following that path,” he asserted.
Kumar reiterated the commitment of the police to follow legal provisions rigorously and welcomed any constructive suggestions.
“I do not find it appropriate to respond to any accusations that the police have not done this or that. However, even at the risk of repetition, I want to clarify that the police have taken legal action and have followed the proper legal route. If anyone has any suggestions regarding this, they are welcome to come to us, and I am also ready for an online debate,” Kumar said.
“We will try and prove to all concerned that we have adopted the most stringent possible approach, and we shall do everything within our power to ensure that the two young lives lost receive justice and that the accused are duly punished,” he added.
The accident, which occurred in the early hours of Sunday after a luxury car collided with their motorcycle near Kalyani Nagar in Pune, resulted in the untimely demise of two young people.
Earlier in the day, Ashwini Koshta, the father of the deceased is demanding stringent legal action against the accused to serve as a deterrent to others.
“The law should take action against (the accused) according to the constitution and existing laws so that people learn a lesson from this,” Ashwini’s father stated.
Ashwini Koshta’s brother said that the family just wanted a proper investigation into the case, “We were two siblings, and she was younger than me. She had spoken to Dad last, even on the day of the incident, telling him about going to a party for dinner. We received the news that night. Her friends called us from her phone; they knew the password, so they called using her phone, and that’s how we found out. They told us that a speeding car hit them from behind. We were just told that there was an accident, so we immediately rushed out that night. According to the law, there should be a proper investigation, and that’s all we want,” he added urging for action against the accused.
Meanwhile, Pune City Police arrested the bar owner and the bar manager who served liquor to the minor accused on the night of the accident. Earlier in the day, police detained the father of the minor accused in the Pune car accident case, said police officials.
According to the Commissioner of Police, Pune, the father of the minor accused, had been detained from the Sambhajinagar area of Aurangabad district in Maharashtra this morning.
On Monday the Pune Commissioner of Police Amitesh Kumar said that the Pune Police are seeking permission to try the juvenile accused in the Pune rash driving case.
Earlier on May 19, the Juvenile Justice Board granted bail to the accused involved in a recent car accident in Pune, said the juvenile accused’s advocate, Prashant Patil. The bail comes with several conditions aimed at rehabilitation and awareness.
The conditions include the following: The accused should work with the traffic police of Yerawada for 15 days; the accused should write an essay on the accident; should get treatment from the concerned doctor to help him quit drinking; and should take psychiatric counselling and submit a report. (ANI)