Pune luxury car accident: NCPCR chairperson, 'Identity of minor should not be revealed'

NCPCR chairperson Priyank Kanoongo/ Screengrab

Priyank Kanoongo, Chairperson of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), has requested activists and media to refrain from disclosing the identity of the youngster involved in the recent Pune vehicle accident. He emphasised that doing so would contravene the Child Justice Act, which prevents the identification of child perpetrators or victims, reported ANI.

According to the report, Kanoongo, speaking about Pune luxury car accident noted that "revealing the minor's identity is a crime under the Juvenile Justice Act". Section 74 states that the identity of any minor or victim shall not be exposed.

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"I appeal to all activists and media persons that the police have done their job and the law will take its course. However, in the midst of all this, if anyone reveals the identity of the minor, it will also be a crime under the same law under which these cases have been registered. Section 74 of the Juvenile Justice Act specifies that the identity of any allegedly juvenile child or victim should not be revealed," Kanoongo said while speaking to ANI.

"So, you all should also keep in mind that the identity of the minor should not be revealed under any circumstances," he added.

The Pune luxury car accident occurred early Sunday, killing two people when a luxury automobile, allegedly driven by a 17-year-old while under the influence of alcohol, crashed with their motorbike near Kalyani Nagar in Pune. Kanoongo criticised the recklessness of permitting a kid to drive while offering alcohol to them. He acknowledged that FIRs had been filed against the youngster, his father, and the outlets serving alcohol.

Speaking further about the Pune luxury car accident, Kanoongo said, "I also want to clarify that no report has been received yet about whether the child consumed alcohol or not, so let this trial be conducted in court and whoever is guilty should be punished, especially those who are providing the place or serving alcohol to children. If the child has also made a mistake, they should receive lawful punishment."

Police have apprehended the boy's father and arrested three hotel executives. Amitesh Kumar, the Pune Police Commissioner, said that strict action is being taken in accordance with directions from the Chief Minister, Home Minister, and other officials. The accused in Pune luxury car accident was granted bail by the Juvenile Justice Board, with terms designed to promote rehabilitation. Due to the gravity of the crime, the police are requesting authority to prosecute the youngster as an adult.