New Delhi: A 15-year-old, the son of a top surgeon, was driving around with his friends in Kanpur’s Ganga Barrage area 26 October 2023 when he allegedly lost control of the car, which hit Sagar Nishad and Ashish Ram Charan, both 15. The victims, who hailed from families dependent on fishing and farming for their livelihood, succumbed to their injuries.
The surgeon’s son was not questioned, apprehended, or counselled for seven months. On 31 March this year, he allegedly left four more persons injured after he hit them with another car. Again, nothing happened despite, as sources said, ACP-rank officers investigating the first case for at least five months.
After a 17-year-old in a Porsche mowed down two people 19 May in Pune, the investigation against the surgeon’s son gained momentum, and he was finally apprehended Tuesday in the first case while the investigation in the second case is ongoing. On Wednesday, he was sent to a juvenile observation home.
Sources in the Kanpur police told ThePrint that after the Pune Porsche accident, Kanpur city police commissioner Akhil Kumar asked for updates on the cases, bringing about the latest developments.
Speaking with ThePrint, Kanpur city police commissioner Akhil Kumar said, “An inquiry has been initiated into why it took seven months to solve the case. Action will be taken against police officers over negligence and dereliction of duty. Citizens found involved in this conspiracy will also be held accountable.”
“Since the last five months, two ACPs have probed the (first) case,” a police source said.
Another source said that the former police commissioner had handed the case to an ACP-rank officer, who got transferred after one-and-a-half months, and the ACP, who finally apprehended the minor, took over the case.
“In April, when Kumar enquired about the second case, officers informed him that it involved the boy from the October case, lying on the shelf till then due to the negligence of the investigating officers, and an alleged plan to save the perpetrator. The trigger in solving the cases is the Pune Porsche accident case. The juvenile, however, never got a clean chit,” the second source said.
The first case was lodged 27 October 2023 under Indian Penal Code sections 304 A (causing death by negligence), 279 (driving in a negligent manner endangering human life), 338 (causing grievous hurt), and 427 (mischief causing damage over Rs 50) at the Nawabganj police station. More recently, amid the build-up of pressure from the top brass of Uttar Pradesh police, IPC section 304, which pertains to culpable homicide not amounting to murder, was added to the FIR.
When the minor again rammed into four other persons, including a biker, in Kanpur’s Barra area this March, the victims survived with multiple injuries and a second FIR was lodged against the minor under IPC section 308 (attempt to commit culpable homicide) at the Barra police station. Again, the investigation in the case remained in limbo.
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A ‘compromise’ & ‘planted’ driver
Asked about the delay in the first case, police sources said the victims’ families and the accused’s family had reached a compromise, and the former submitted an application, saying that they misidentified the 15-year-old as the driver of the car.
However, Sagar’s brother, Vishal (22), denied meeting the accused’s family, except once at the police station, or reaching any compromise. Also, according to senior officers, the police should investigate the case’s merits even if such applications are submitted.
Speaking with ThePrint, Vishal said, “I didn’t sign any application. We didn’t go to testify. Hence, the case was pending… Whenever we would ask the police about the case, they would tell us the investigation is on.”
A third police source, however, said Vishal also signed the application. “The first FIR was lodged based on Sagar Nishad’s elder brother Vishal Nishad’s complaint. However, soon after, both families submitted an application saying the (accused) minor wasn’t driving the car. They also said that the car didn’t have four people but five.”
“The fifth person in the car was a driver planted by the minor’s father. The driver was questioned by the police in the case,” the third source said.
Police sources said the minor’s father is yet to face any legal action.
“Investigation, so far, has revealed the car isn’t registered in the father’s name but belongs to his friend. Police also questioned that friend after the ACP (who apprehended the minor) took over the investigation,” the source said.
A senior police officer privy to the case said there was also “no CCTV footage” in the area, so the police couldn’t ascertain if the minor was indeed at the wheel when the accident happened.
Additional Commissioner of Police (law & order) Harish Chandra said, “The application was signed by families of both the victims. After investigation, it has come to light that the 15-year-old was driving the car. In the second case, the car is registered under one of the family member’s names. Legal action will be initiated against all those responsible. Statements of witnesses have been recorded.”
The car is registered with the accused’s 70-year-old grandfather, who lives with the family, according to police sources.
(Edited by Madhurita Goswami)
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