Pune Porsche Crash: Minor’s Grandfather Arrested Amid Allegations of Pressuring Driver to Take Blame

In a dramatic turn of events following the tragic car crash in Pune that claimed two lives, police have arrested the grandfather of the 17-year-old involved in the accident. The arrest came amidst allegations that both the teenager’s father and grandfather pressured the family’s driver to falsely claim responsibility for the crash by offering him money and issuing threats.

Arrests and Allegations

On Saturday, Pune police took the grandfather into custody on charges of illegal confinement of the driver. A court subsequently remanded him in police custody until May 28. The minor’s father, Vishal Agarwal, a realtor currently in judicial custody for another case related to the May 19 accident, has also been named in the FIR.

“After the accident, the driver gave a statement at the Yerawada police station that he was at the wheel,” stated Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar. However, further investigation revealed that the teenager was actually driving the Porsche when it collided with a motorbike, killing two IT professionals in Kalyani Nagar.

Driver’s Ordeal

The police commissioner detailed how the driver was coerced into taking the blame. After his initial statement to the police, the teenager’s father and grandfather took him to their bungalow, confiscated his phone, and confined him. They pressured him to adhere to their narrative by offering gifts, cash, and also by issuing threats. The driver’s wife managed to free him the next day.

The driver’s revised statement to the police on May 23, corroborated with other facts, led to the filing of charges against Vishal Agarwal and his father under sections 365 (kidnapping) and 368 (wrongfully concealing or keeping in confinement) of the Indian Penal Code.

Tampering Evidence

During the court proceedings, the prosecution revealed that the police had recovered a DVR (digital video recorder) of CCTV footage from the house of the accused, indicating that the footage had been tampered with. This pointed to an attempt to obscure the true events of the night of the crash.

Past Offences and Defense

The court was also informed about past offences registered against the grandfather at various police stations, including Kondhwa, Bundgarden in Pune, and Mahabaleshwar in Maharashtra.

However, defense lawyer Prashant Patil argued that the driver was indeed in the car during the accident and denied any wrongful confinement. Patil claimed that the driver voluntarily stayed in the servant quarters of the bungalow due to the outcry over the incident, and there were no threats involved. He also mentioned that the grandfather had been cooperating with the police since he arrived in Pune on the morning of May 19.

Ongoing Investigation

Police Commissioner Kumar confirmed that the investigation so far indicated the juvenile was driving the car while intoxicated. As the investigation continues, the driver and his family have been provided police protection to ensure their safety.

This case underscores the serious legal consequences and moral responsibilities tied to road safety and truthful conduct in the aftermath of accidents. The developments in this case will be closely watched as further details emerge and justice is sought for the victims.

For comprehensive coverage of legal developments, business news, and real-time updates on law and politics, visit Kanishk Social Media.

If you like this story, share it with a friend!