Pune Police have detained Vishal Agrawal, the father of a 17-year-old who fatally crashed a Porsche into a motorcycle, killing two individuals. Agrawal, a real estate developer, was apprehended in Aurangabad on Monday (May 20) after evading capture. Multiple police teams were deployed to locate him, and he was arrested early Tuesday in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
The incident occurred early Sunday morning when the teenager, under the influence of alcohol, drove the Porsche into a two-wheeler, killing a couple. The minor and two others were initially taken into custody, but the 17-year-old was granted bail by a district court within 14 hours, causing public outrage. Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar later told that they are seeking permission from a higher court to try the teenager as an adult.
The district court granted bail under conditions that included undergoing psychiatric evaluation, assisting traffic police for 15 days, and writing a 300-word essay on the impact of road accidents and their prevention.
Commissioner Kumar stated that the accused were charged under Section 304 of the IPC and that they have approached a higher court to ensure the teenager is tried as an adult. “We will ensure that this heinous crime is prosecuted to the fullest extent,” he said.
Both Vishal Agrawal and the bar that served alcohol to the minor are being prosecuted under Sections 75 and 77 of the Juvenile Justice Act. The Porsche, registered in Agrawal’s name, lacked a number plate, according to police reports.
The victims, Aneesh Awadhiya and Ashwini Koshta, both 24 and IT professionals, were identified from the police FIR. Koshta died immediately at the scene, while Awadhiya succumbed to his injuries in the hospital.
CCTV footage circulated online shows bystanders assaulting the teenager at the accident site. Another video showed the accused and his friends drinking in a bar prior to the incident. An eyewitness claimed there were three people in the Porsche, but one fled the scene after the crash. The three occupants were reportedly intoxicated according to the eyewitness.
Prashant Patil, the lawyer for the teenager, stated they are complying with legal procedures and the investigation has been thorough. “The accused is entitled to bail. Everyone is adhering to the law, and we will argue based on legal merits,” he said.
Commissioner, Amitesh Kumar mentioned an ongoing investigation into why the Porsche had no number plate and the duration for which a temporary plate was used.
Akhilesh Awadhiya, uncle of victim Aneesh Awadhiya, criticized the Maharashtra Police for perceived inaction, calling the bail conditions “ridiculous” and describing the minor as a “human bomb.” “He was driving a car worth Rs 3 crore. Just because he is the son of a business tycoon, he was released,” Akhilesh Awadhiya added.
