In a case that has gripped Pune, a 17-year-old implicated in a fatal hit-and-run has seen his bail rescinded by the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB). This decision comes after the minor, who was allegedly intoxicated at the time, caused the deaths of two individuals with his speeding Porsche. Initially, the board granted bail with strict conditions: writing an essay on road safety, working alongside traffic police, studying traffic regulations, and undergoing both de-addiction and psychological counseling.
However, on May 22, 2024, the JJB reversed its decision, remanding the minor to the Children Observation Centre. The move was driven by the severity of the crime, widespread public outrage, and the overarching gravity of the offense. The minor now faces charges under multiple sections of the Penal Code, 1860, including Section 279 (rash driving), Section 304-A (causing death by negligence), and Section 337 (causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety), along with provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
This development highlights the JJB’s struggle to balance the principles of rehabilitative justice for juveniles with the need to address severe crimes appropriately. The ongoing deliberation over whether to try the minor as an adult underscores the complexities inherent in juvenile justice, especially in cases involving grave offenses.
