NEW DELHI: As the investigation into the Pune Porsche car crash intensifies, several lapses in the police investigation have come to light. This includes allegations of the teen accused of driving the luxury car under the influence of alcohol getting preferential treatment, being served pizza at the police station, and more.
Commissioner of police Amitesh Kumar on Friday said the authorities are determined to ensure a thorough investigation and a ‘watertight’ case against the accused.Meanwhile, two officials from the Yerawada police station have been suspended for neglecting their duties. The case has also now been transferred to the crime branch. So what were the lapses in the initial investigation of Pune police?
1. Late reporting: Two officials from the Yerawada police station were suspended on Friday for neglecting their duties related as they failed to inform the wireless control room about the accident on May 19. Inspector Rahul Jagdale and assistant police inspector Vishwanath Todkari were suspended for “late reporting” and “dereliction of duty”. 2. Delay in collection of blood sample: Commissioner of police Amitesh Kumar on Friday admitted that there was a delay in blood sample collection of the teen accused in this case. He confirmed that though the juvenile was sent to Sassoon General Hospital around 9am on May 19, his blood samples were collected at 11pm. The delay in collection of blood sample means the alcohol level would come down in the blood. The commissioner, however, maintained that “blood report is not the pillar of our case.” The report was yet to be received.
3. Wrong section in initial FIR: In Friday’s press conference, the police commissioner said that in initial FIR, section 304 A (death by negligence) was applied in this case. But it was revised with section 304 (Punishment for culpable homicide not amounting to murder) the same day as the crime warranted that (more serious) section, Kumar said.
4. Preferential treatment to the teen: On reports that the 17-year-old was served pizza at the police station, the commissioner said “a pizza party didn’t happen in the police station.” But he confirmed that an inquiry is underway for what happened at the police station after the teen’s arrest. “But yes, something had happened on which we have initiated an internal investigation,” he said.
5. NCP MLA’s visit to the station: In Friday’s press conference on the developments of the case, commissioner Kumar admitted that NCP MLA Vadgaon Sheri had visited the police station after the accident. He, however, maintained that “it won’t be correct to say that the direction of the investigation was impacted due to this.” There were also reports of the eyewitnesses being pressured, refuting which, Kumar said, “If such things come to the fore, strict action will be taken against the police officer concerned.”
Meanwhile, Vishal Agarwal, the father of a 17-year-old involved in a fatal car crash and five other accused were sent to judicial custody until June 7. The Pune police have said that they intend to try the accused teenager as an adult.
The police are also investigating the driver’s initial statement in which he had accepted that he was driving the car at the time of the crash. The police are now looking into the possibility of external pressure influencing the driver’s initial account.
(With PTI inputs)
Commissioner of police Amitesh Kumar on Friday said the authorities are determined to ensure a thorough investigation and a ‘watertight’ case against the accused.Meanwhile, two officials from the Yerawada police station have been suspended for neglecting their duties. The case has also now been transferred to the crime branch. So what were the lapses in the initial investigation of Pune police?
1. Late reporting: Two officials from the Yerawada police station were suspended on Friday for neglecting their duties related as they failed to inform the wireless control room about the accident on May 19. Inspector Rahul Jagdale and assistant police inspector Vishwanath Todkari were suspended for “late reporting” and “dereliction of duty”. 2. Delay in collection of blood sample: Commissioner of police Amitesh Kumar on Friday admitted that there was a delay in blood sample collection of the teen accused in this case. He confirmed that though the juvenile was sent to Sassoon General Hospital around 9am on May 19, his blood samples were collected at 11pm. The delay in collection of blood sample means the alcohol level would come down in the blood. The commissioner, however, maintained that “blood report is not the pillar of our case.” The report was yet to be received.
3. Wrong section in initial FIR: In Friday’s press conference, the police commissioner said that in initial FIR, section 304 A (death by negligence) was applied in this case. But it was revised with section 304 (Punishment for culpable homicide not amounting to murder) the same day as the crime warranted that (more serious) section, Kumar said.
4. Preferential treatment to the teen: On reports that the 17-year-old was served pizza at the police station, the commissioner said “a pizza party didn’t happen in the police station.” But he confirmed that an inquiry is underway for what happened at the police station after the teen’s arrest. “But yes, something had happened on which we have initiated an internal investigation,” he said.
5. NCP MLA’s visit to the station: In Friday’s press conference on the developments of the case, commissioner Kumar admitted that NCP MLA Vadgaon Sheri had visited the police station after the accident. He, however, maintained that “it won’t be correct to say that the direction of the investigation was impacted due to this.” There were also reports of the eyewitnesses being pressured, refuting which, Kumar said, “If such things come to the fore, strict action will be taken against the police officer concerned.”
Meanwhile, Vishal Agarwal, the father of a 17-year-old involved in a fatal car crash and five other accused were sent to judicial custody until June 7. The Pune police have said that they intend to try the accused teenager as an adult.
The police are also investigating the driver’s initial statement in which he had accepted that he was driving the car at the time of the crash. The police are now looking into the possibility of external pressure influencing the driver’s initial account.
(With PTI inputs)
