The 17-year-old defendant was of sound mind at the time of the incident, says the city’s top police officer

Pune police said on May 24 that the 17-year-old boy who allegedly crashed his luxury car into a motorcycle, killing two people, was conscious when the serious accident occurred.

Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar said in a press conference that the police had video footage of him drinking alcohol in the bar.

“He (the minor defendant) was of sound mind. It was not that everyone was so drunk that they didn’t understand anything. They were fully aware that because of their conduct, a Section 304-like incident could happen,” he said.

A Porsche allegedly driven by the teenager fatally struck two software engineers riding motorcycles in the city in the early hours of Sunday, May 19. The accused was produced before the juvenile court, which granted him bail and asked him to write a 300-word essay.

Following a huge uproar over the quick release on bail and the police’s request for review, the JJB remanded the teenager, son of real estate developer Vishal Agarwal, in an observation home till June 5.

Kumar mentioned during the press conference that the case is being investigated with utmost sensitivity. “The victim will get justice and the accused will be punished. We have started the process of appointing a special investigator so that our side is strongly represented in the court. The police will handle this case strictly,” he said.

The teenager’s father was also arrested in connection with the case.

His grandfather was also questioned by police in connection with the case, while a forensic team examined the Porsche involved in the accident. A friend of the minor, who was in the car with him, was also questioned to corroborate and confirm the sequence of events that took place on the night of Saturday into Sunday.

(With contributions from agencies)