Powai SUV Accident: Minor to be detained after exams

17-year-old Sumit Pandey, who crashed his father’s SUV near Powai on Thursday, will be detained by police after his exams are over, confirmed an official from Parksite police station.

Pandey had crashed his Toyota Fortuner into a sidewall and landed 50 feet below, after losing control of the vehicle near Gandhinagar junction around 3:30 am on Thursday. His three friends, Ashna Shah (16), Puja Deria (16) and Rutika Shetty (17) suffered minor injuries in the accident.

A student of S.M Shetty college, Pandey was driving the SUV without a driving license.

After the incident, all four were rushed to Hiranandani hospital and treated for their injuries. Following which, Parksite police booked Pandya under sections 279 (rash driving) and 338 (causing grievous hurt by act endangering the life or personal safety of others) of the Indian Penal Code and sections 3/181 (driving without a valid licence) and 184 (driving dangerously or abetting to driving dangerously) of the Motor Vehicles Act.

Since Pandey has exams till July 20, cops have decided not to arrest him till then. Meanwhile, his father, Krishnakumar, a businessman from Nashik, has been summoned by the police. As the registered owner of the vehicle and the minor’s parent, Krishnakumar is also responsible for the accident. However, he has not been booked till now.

If booked under the Motor Vehicles Act, Krishnakumar may face a 3 month jail term or a Rs 1,000 fine or both.

Post his exams, Pandey will be arrested under the Juvenile Justice Act.