In a significant development, two Pune police officers have been suspended due to major lapses in the investigation of the recent Porsche accident that resulted in two fatalities. The suspended officers were the first to arrive at the accident scene but failed to inform their senior officers and the police control room about the incident, leading to critical delays in the investigation.
Officials suspended for dereliction of duty
Two officials from the Yerawada police station, Inspector Rahul Jagdale and Assistant Police Inspector Vishwanath Todkari, were suspended on Friday for "late reporting" and "dereliction of duty" in the investigation of a car crash involving a 17-year-old juvenile. The juvenile’s Porsche knocked down and killed two individuals on May 19.
Delayed reporting and blood sample collection
The accident, which occurred in the early hours of May 19 in Kalyani Nagar, was mishandled by the police. According to Additional Commissioner of Police Manoj Patil, the police officers failed to promptly inform senior officers and the police control room. Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar admitted there was a significant delay in collecting the juvenile’s blood samples, taken at 11 pm, long after the 3 am crash. The probe has now been transferred to the Crime Branch.
Judicial custody ordered
A Pune court remanded Vishal Agarwal, father of the 17-year-old involved in the fatal car crash, along with five other accused, to judicial custody until June 7. The prosecution had sought an extension of their police custody, but the court decided otherwise.
Charges and allegations
Agarwal and the others, including the owner and employees of two liquor-serving establishments, are accused of serving alcohol to the underage driver. Agarwal faces charges under sections 75 and 77 of the Juvenile Justice Act. The FIR claims Agarwal allowed his son to drive without a valid license, endangering his life.
Details of the incident
The accused were produced before Additional Sessions Judge S P Ponkshe. The prosecution argued for extended police custody to investigate a Rs 47,000 bill paid by the juvenile at Cosie Restaurant. Additionally, section 420 (cheating) of the IPC was added against Agarwal for non-payment of RTO fees for the Porsche's registration.
Investigation progress
The police seized a register from the entry gate of the juvenile’s house and CCTV footage, which are being examined. They also sought to confront Agarwal with the car’s driver, who was allegedly in the passenger seat during the crash. Agarwal’s lawyers contended that police custody was unnecessary. All six accused are expected to file bail applications on Monday.
Also read | Pune Porsche accident: Court sends accused teen's father Vishal Agrawal to 14-day judicial custody
