16-year-old speeds on scooter with pal, dies in accident near Warje

PUNE: A 16-year-old boy from Baner, who was speeding on a scooter, died and his friend on the pillion escaped with minor injuries after they fell off the two-wheeler near the Warje over bridge on Katraj-Dehu Road bypass.

The accident occurred on Monday evening when the duo and two of their friends were returning home from Khed-Shivapur.

The Warje Malwadi police have registered an offence against the deceased under sections 304-A (causing death by negligence), 279 (rash driving or riding on a public way), 337 (causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others) of the Indian Penal Code and the relevant provisions of the Motor Vehicle Act. “We will register an offence against the owner of the scooter for allowing a minor to drive it,” Warje Malwadi police senior inspector Rekha Salunkhe said,

The deceased boy was from Vidhate Vasti in Baner and was studying in city-based junior college. “On Monday afternoon, he and his three friends had gone for offering prayers at a ‘dargah’ in Khed-Shivapur, around 25km from here, on two scooters. The youth had borrowed his friend’s scooter. His parents were unaware about his visit to Khed-Shivapur,” Salunkhe said.

None of the friends had driving licences and they were not wearing helmets. “On their way back home, they reached near Warje around 6.45pm. Just before the over bridge at Warje, the boy’s scooter brushed against a tempo plying ahead. The boy and his friend on the pillion fell on the road,” the officer said.

The boy died on the spot because of severe head injuries, while his friend escaped with injuries. The boy had borrowed the scooter from a friend. “We will register an offence against the father of the boy’s friend, as he owned the scooter,” Salunkhe added.