The detention of a 15-year-old boy in Kanpur has garnered significant attention, coinciding with the public outcry over a similar incident in Pune, where another minor is accused of crashing a speeding Porsche into a two-wheeler, resulting in the deaths of two individuals.
The Kanpur incident dates back to October 2023, when the teenager, the son of a well-known doctor, fatally struck two children with his speeding car in the Barra area. Following this incident, a case was filed against him under Section 304 of the IPC (causing death by negligence, not amounting to culpable homicide), but he was subsequently released on bail.
In a troubling development, the same boy was involved in another hit-and-run on March 31, 2024, where he injured four people. For this incident, the police registered a case under IPC Sections 279 and 338 (reckless driving), yet he was once again let go.
However, in light of the recent scrutiny and public outcry, the police detained the boy on Wednesday and placed him in a juvenile facility. This action comes amid criticisms of the police's handling of the case and their previous lapses in ensuring accountability.
Kanpur's Commissioner of Police, Akhil Kumar, spoke to India Today TV about the case, acknowledging the lapses and emphasizing the need for swift action. He expressed concern that the teenager was allowed to drive again despite his involvement in the fatal accident the previous year. Kumar stated, "...Â
The case came to our notice recently. We have instructed the officials to act swiftly and quickly in the matter. It is a matter of concern that a child, who should have faced action earlier, is driving again. His parents are letting him behind the wheel again despite being involved in a fatal accident last year."
Kumar also connected the case to the recent incident in Pune, highlighting the broader context of minors driving recklessly and the necessity for stricter enforcement.
