'He doesn't understand the preciousness of taking a life': Juvenile board says teen who caused Delhi car crash showed no remorse

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• Juvenile in fatal Dwarka crash gets interim bail for board exams
• Bail is temporary; minor must surrender after exams on March 9
• Board noted minor's lack of remorse and understanding of loss

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The Juvenile Justice Board has granted temporary bail to a 17-year-old accused in a fatal crash in Dwarka, while recording in its order that the teenager “appeared to show no remorse” and “did not understand the preciousness of taking a life,” according to documents accessed by HT.

The minor was produced before the board on February 4, a day after he allegedly drove a speeding Mahindra Scorpio that struck 23-year-old biker Sahil Dhaneshra. In its order that day, the board said, “Upon enquiry from the CCL [child in conflict with law, the 17-year-old], it appears that he does not understand the preciousness of life of a person and is not remorseful towards his act.” He was then sent to an observation home for “rehabilitation and appropriate counselling” as well as for his “safety and security”.

On February 10, the board allowed him interim bail to sit for his Class 10 board examinations and directed that he surrender on March 9 after the exams. The request was made by his counsel, who submitted that the boy was “unable to study” in a conducive environment at the observation home.

Principal magistrate Chitranshi Arora observed that the board had taken note of the juvenile’s academic stage and the need to protect his educational prospects. “The need for immediate academic preparation and the continuity of studies constitutes a relevant consideration under the rehabilitative and reformative object of the JJ Act,” the order stated.

As part of the interim relief, the minor has been released into his father’s custody on a personal bond of ₹10,000 with one surety of the same amount, effective until the next hearing on March 9. The board directed the father to ensure his son’s appearance as required, to see that he does not come into conflict with the law during this period, and to make certain that the time granted is devoted strictly to exam preparation.

The order emphasised that the arrangement is “purely temporary and interim in nature” and will not serve as a precedent. The father has been asked to appear with his son on March 9, when the regular bail plea will be considered.

According to police, the SUV driven by the teenager collided with Dhaneshra’s two-wheeler and then crashed into a parked cab, leaving its driver critically injured. The minor, who did not possess a driving licence, was apprehended and placed in an observation home. A case has been registered under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to rash and negligent driving, causing death by negligence, and endangering human life. Police have also bound down the juvenile’s father.

In his bail application, the 17-year-old described himself as a student with a “remarkable academic record” and alleged that he had been falsely implicated. The plea characterised the incident as “purely accidental” and asserted that there was no intention or mens rea to cause injury or death. It further stated that the crash occurred on a single-lane road and that the juvenile stepped out immediately after impact and “attempted to assist the victim”.

The application also said that he informed the police himself and cooperated throughout the investigation. “He remained present at the spot and disclosed his identity as the driver of the Scorpio vehicle,” it stated. His counsel argued that the biker was speeding and tried to overtake a bus before colliding with the SUV, and that there were no independent public eyewitnesses, with the prosecution case based on circumstantial evidence and mechanical inspection.