Pune Car Crash: Grandfather Arrested for Coercing Driver to Take Blame

Grandfather Arrested for Alleged Coercion in Pune Car Crash Case

In a dramatic turn of events following a tragic car accident in Pune, the police have arrested the grandfather of a 17-year-old boy who crashed a Porsche, resulting in the deaths of two 24-year-old tech professionals, Anish Awadhiya and Ashwini Koshta. The arrest comes after revelations that the grandfather allegedly coerced the family driver to falsely take the blame for the incident.

The incident took place when the minor, reportedly inebriated, lost control of the luxury vehicle. Following the crash, the police investigation led to startling discoveries about the attempts to manipulate the legal outcome of the case.

Driver’s Coerced Confession

According to Pune’s Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar, the 42-year-old driver confessed under duress that he was pressured by the minor’s grandfather to take the fall for the accident. The driver disclosed that he was threatened and instructed not to divulge the truth to anyone.

“Before the minor’s father was arrested, he, along with the juvenile’s grandfather, offered cash and gifts to their family driver, subsequently threatening him to claim responsibility for the accident. They are now booked for kidnapping and wrongful confinement of the driver. The driver and his family will receive police protection,” stated Commissioner Kumar during a press conference.

The driver narrated his ordeal, revealing that immediately after the accident, the minor’s grandfather called and berated him. He was forcibly taken to their bungalow in a BMW, where his mobile phone was confiscated, and he was confined in a room. The driver was promised a cash reward if he agreed to falsely admit to driving the car at the time of the accident.

Legal Proceedings and Custody

Upon being taken to the police station, the driver initially claimed responsibility for the crash. However, the police found his statement unconvincing. A preliminary inquiry revealed that the minor was, in fact, behind the wheel, leading to an official offence being registered against the juvenile.

A Pune court has now sent the minor’s grandfather to police custody until May 28, while the minor’s father, a real estate developer, has been remanded to judicial custody until June 7. Both individuals face charges under IPC sections 365 (kidnapping with intent secretly and wrongfully to confine a person) and 368 (wrongfully concealing or keeping in confinement).

Public Outcry and Political Response

The case has garnered significant public attention and criticism, particularly after the Juvenile Justice Board granted the minor bail within 15 hours of the accident. The bail conditions included writing a 300-word essay on ‘The Effect of Road Accidents and Their Solutions,’ a decision that many saw as insufficient given the severity of the incident.

In response to the case and its handling, the youth wing of the Pune Congress has organized an essay competition outside the pub where the minor allegedly consumed alcohol with his friends. The competition, scheduled for May 26, will feature provocative topics such as “What if my father was a builder,” “The side-effects of alcohol,” “My favorite luxury car,” and “Who killed Ashwini and Anish?”

Pune’s Kasba MLA Ravindra Dhangekar commented on the event, underscoring the need for awareness and justice in the wake of such tragedies. The essay competition aims to provoke thought and reflection on the broader implications of privilege, responsibility, and the consequences of reckless behavior.

Community and Legal Implications

The case highlights the ongoing issues related to underage drinking, driving under the influence, and the misuse of power to obstruct justice. It also raises important questions about the adequacy of juvenile justice in cases involving severe consequences.

As the investigation continues, the Pune police and judiciary face the challenge of ensuring that justice is served, not only for the victims and their families but also in setting a precedent for handling similar cases in the future.