Mumbai: In a detailed order granting bail to a 17-year-old involved in a fatal car accident, the Juvenile Justice Board observed that intention and knowledge of the act, which are ingredients of culpable homicide not amounting to murder, are hardly attracted in this case. The court also noted that he was a first-time offender who remained at the scene and was not under the influence of alcohol and committed a lapse in judgment typical of adolescence rather than a premeditated act.“In this particular case, it seems that the child in conflict with law (CCL) was driving a car and caused accident…He took the vehicle which shows lack of parenting control. But at the same time, an adolescence act. He had not consumed liquor, so it is not that under the influence of alcohol he lost control over the car,” the board said.
The board also noted that while stringent charge can be determined at trial stage, the circumstances show the ingredients of accident. Addressing strong opposition from the victims’ family, the board said, “No doubt the victim suffered incomputable loss. Allegedly, the CCL is responsible for causing such a loss. Everyone has sympathies for them, but according to the law, CCL is to be treated innocent… the principle of best interest is to be considered.” The bench further concluded that “seriousness of the offence is not the ground under Juvenile Justice Act to reject bail application.”The incident occurred when a car driven by the teenager collided with a scooter on Feb 5, 2026, in Vidhyavihar, resulting in the death of Dhrumil Patel and serious injuries to his wife Minal Patel.The prosecution and an intervener had argued against bail, pointing to deletion of social media reels showing the teenager performing vehicle stunts as evidence of tampering. The order clarified that “the act of negligence or recklessness must be at the time of committing the offence and such prior stunt reels could not be the evidence in respect of the particular incident.”The teenager was released on a bond of Rs 25,000 with strict conditions to ensure he remains isolated from the investigation and the locality of the victims. Additionally, the order mandates that he “shall not drive the vehicle till he attains majority.” The mother has been ordered to submit a formal ‘After Care Plan’ and relocate the teenager to Navi Mumbai under the supervision of an NGO and a probation officer.The minor’s father was arrested on Feb 10, 2026, for allegedly allowing his minor son to drive the vehicle without a valid license. He too was granted bail by a sessions court last week.
