Pune police book parents of minor boys who used their motorcycles to create ruckus

An FIR has been registered at the Parvati police station in connection with the incident. An investigation revealed that nine minor boys were involved in the ruckus. The police have booked the minor boys under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Arms Act.

The police detained the minor boys and arrested a 21-year-old blacksmith from whom they had allegedly procured the sharp weapons. Also, the police found that two of the minor boys had used their parents’ vehicles for allegedly committing the crime.

“As per the provisions of the section 199 (a) of the Motor Vehicle Act, we have booked the parents of these two boys and issued notices to them. Parents were not arrested, but action was taken against them as per the law,” said senior police inspector Nandakumar Gaikwad.

If a juvenile commits an offence under the Motor Vehicles Act, the guardian (of the minor accused) or the vehicle owner should be held responsible and punished accordingly. But the guardian of the juvenile or the vehicle owner of the vehicle might not be punished if they prove that the offence was committed without their knowledge.

In a move to keep a check on the involvement of minors in criminal activities, Amitesh Kumar, commissioner of the Pune city police, recently asked his officers to prepare a list of juveniles caught for crimes and to counsel their parents.

Kumar said that he also has asked his officials to check whether the parents or guardians of the juveniles are culpable under sections 75 and 77 of the Juvenile Justice Act.

As per section 75, action can be taken against a person in charge of a child who either physically abuses, abandons, mistreats or wilfully neglects the child. As per section 77, it is an offence if a person gives or causes to be given to any child any intoxicating liquor or any narcotic drug or tobacco products or psychotropic substance, except on the order of a duly qualified medical practitioner.