Delhi Lawyer's Plea for Teenager in Fatal Crash Ignites Heated Debate
A legal representative for a 17-year-old accused in a deadly road collision in Delhi's Dwarka area has triggered significant controversy by publicly appealing for sympathy towards the minor. The lawyer cited severe "academic stress" and alleged threatening phone calls directed at the teenager's family as mitigating factors in the case.
Details of the Tragic Dwarka Collision
The fatal incident occurred on February 3rd near Lal Bahadur Shastri College in Dwarka South, resulting in the death of 23-year-old Sahil Dhaneshra. According to Delhi Police reports, a car allegedly operated by an unlicensed juvenile collided with Dhaneshra's motorcycle, which was traveling in the opposite direction, before subsequently striking another parked vehicle.
Authorities registered a First Information Report at Dwarka South police station under Sections 281/106(1)/125(a) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Police received a PCR call regarding the accident at approximately 11:57 AM. Responding officers discovered three damaged vehicles at the scene and confirmed the motorcyclist's death.
Defense Lawyer's Emotional Appeal and Arguments
Lal Singh Thakur, the legal counsel representing the accused minor, described the February 3rd incident as "very unfortunate and painful" while emphasizing the profound impact on the teenager and his family. "The entire family has been severely stressed and traumatised by this until today," Thakur stated. "Especially that child, who has to take his board exams today, he isn't able to do so properly."
The lawyer highlighted the teenager's academic background, describing him as "a child with a studious background, a gold medalist" whose life has been dramatically affected by the accident. Thakur emphasized that the defense has not formally admitted the boy was driving during the crash, noting that "the matter is currently at the investigation stage" and that "everything right now is based on speculation."
Conduct During and After the Incident
Thakur pointed to what he characterized as responsible behavior following the collision. "This boy did not flee the scene," the lawyer asserted. "This family was not one that tried to cover up the case or manage it from somewhere; nothing like that. They called you to the police station, presented the child at the police station, they were kept there all night, the parents were kept there all night."
The minor was subsequently presented before the Juvenile Justice Board, which recommended sending him away temporarily for improvement. Thakur noted cooperation with this decision despite the teenager's academic commitments, stating, "we said we would cooperate, even though the boy has board exams, classes all day, and tuitions going on." The juvenile received interim bail on February 10th to continue his studies.
Allegations of Harassment and Media Scrutiny
The defense lawyer raised serious concerns about alleged harassment targeting the teenager's family. "His family is under so much pressure, that besides all the media since yesterday, they are getting personal calls, threat calls," Thakur claimed. "I feel there is so much pressure on the child that some mishap might happen to him."
Thakur reported approximately 1,400 calls to the family, describing them as containing "so many abuses, so many threats, in such foul language that I cannot show you." The situation has reportedly become so severe that family members have switched off their phones due to the volume of communications.
Appeal for Restraint and Future Implications
The lawyer made a direct appeal for measured coverage of the case, expressing fear that excessive pressure might lead to tragic consequences. "The level of this torture has increased so much that we fear the child might do something to himself," Thakur stated. "His family might do something."
Thakur concluded with a plea to media organizations: "My request to you is: this is a question of a child's future, please do not make it a media trial." Delhi Police have not publicly commented on the defense's claims regarding threatening phone calls as the investigation into the fatal crash continues to unfold.
