Delhi hit-and-run case: Father booked for abetment, juvenile a 'repeat offender'

New Delhi: Delhi police have slapped abetment charges against the father of the juvenile driver who allegedly drove the Mercedes car which killed business consultant Siddhartha Sharma in the national capital.

The father, Manoj Aggarwal, was arrested on Friday after police found he gave the car to the teenager despite the fact that he was involved in previous cases of rash driving. The father is booked under section 104 read with 304 (abetment to culpable homicide) and the son, under 304 (culpable homicide).

Police said the Mercedes car involved in the accident was booked for traffic violations thrice last year. It also collided with another car once, and though a compromise was reached on that, the driver of that car told police he identified the teenager.

“It was not the first offence of the accused juvenile offender. In the past also he has caused an accident by rash and negligent driving. There was no action taken on the part of the juvenile's father to stop him from taking the car again. In that case, this criminal omission comes under abetment. Therefore, his father was arrested for abetting culpable homicide not amounting to murder," Deputy Commissioner of Police, North, Madhur Verma said.

Police said the teenager was booked under culpable homicide because it was clear he knew that driving rashly in that residential area could cause a fatal accident.

The accident took place at the Sham Nath Marg in north Delhi's Civil Lines area on April 4 when Sharma was mowed down by the speeding car while crossing the road.

Police sources said the juvenile claimed he was driving the car at 60-70 kmph while experts who studied the CCTV footage put it at over 100kmph. They also said the father claimed that the son took the car keys without his permission.

Senior lawyer Sanjay Hegde said, "This would be the first case where a father has been held accountable by the Delhi Police for his son’s crime. The Delhi police now have to prove whether his father willingly allowed him to drive the car or his son took the car keys without informing his parents."

Hemraj Sharma, victim’s father, said, “I am happy that the Delhi police officers are taking the matter seriously. They have ensured justice to us. I can only pray and hope this doesn't happen to another family. He was my only son."