Background
The essay competition was organized as a symbolic protest against the initial decision of the Juvenile Justice Board to grant bail to a minor involved in a fatal accident and asking him to write an essay on road accidents.
Event Details
Congress party’s youth wing organized an essay writing competition near the accident spot in Pune. The incident involved an intoxicated 17-year-old who caused the death of two individuals while driving an unregistered Porsche.
More than 100 participants took part in the competition, with topics including ‘If my father was a builder’, ‘Ill effects of alcohol’, and ‘Is this administration sleeping?’ among others.
The top three essayists were awarded cash prizes of ₹11,000, ₹7,000, and ₹5,000 respectively.
Public Outrage
The decision of the Juvenile Justice Board to grant bail to the minor and assign an essay writing task sparked nationwide outrage. The teenager, whose father was a prominent city builder, was asked to write a 300-word essay on road accidents.
Pune Congress leader Sangeeta Tiwari criticized the Board’s decision as a mockery of justice and expressed concern over the leniency shown towards individuals with influential connections.
Legal Actions
Following the accident, the police arrested the teenager’s father, Vishal Agarwal, for endangering a child by allowing him to drive without a license. The teen’s grandfather, Surendra Agarwal, was also arrested for his involvement in the incident.
Both individuals faced charges related to the unlawful confinement of the driver and attempting to shift the legal responsibility onto him.