New Delhi - In response to widespread outrage, Indian justice officials have reversed the bail conditions set for a wealthy businessman's 17-year-old son, who is accused of causing a fatal accident while driving a Porsche under the influence and without a license. Initially, the teenager was granted bail within 15 hours of his arrest, ordered to write a 300-word essay and work with local traffic police for 15 days. However, the leniency of these conditions shocked the nation, leading to an appeal by local police to cancel his bail and treat him as an adult due to the severity of the alleged crime.

The incident occurred on Sunday in the western Indian city of Pune when the teenager, after consuming alcohol at two local bars, drove his Porsche Taycan at high speed, eventually colliding with a motorcycle. The two victims, both 24-year-old software engineers, tragically lost their lives. The distraught parents of the victims have called for strict punishment for the accused.

In response to the public outcry, the Juvenile Justice Board, after three days of uproar, canceled the teen's bail and ordered him to be held in a juvenile detention center until June 5. The board also stated that a decision on whether he would be tried as an adult, which carries a potentially more severe sentence, would be made following further investigation.

The change in bail conditions reflects a shift in India's legal system, which since 2015 has allowed minors aged 16 to 18 to be tried as adults for heinous crimes. This change was prompted by the infamous 2012 Delhi rape case, in which one of the convicts was a minor. Activists argued that if a minor can commit such a brutal act, they should be treated as an adult.

The police have taken further action by arresting the suspect's father for allowing his underage son to drive the Porsche. Additionally, the owners of the two bars where the teenager consumed alcohol have been arrested, and their establishments seized.

The number of road accidents and fatalities in India remains alarming, with over 168,000 lives lost in accidents in 2022 alone. Drunk driving has been a significant contributing factor, with more than 1,500 deaths attributed to this offense, according to government data. The maximum punishment for drunk driving in India is six months in prison and a fine of approximately $120 for a first offense. However, if the offense leads to the death of another person, the offender can face between two to seven years in prison.

The reversal of bail conditions for the teenager reflects the Indian justice system's commitment to ensuring justice for the victims and holding those responsible for their actions accountable. As the investigation continues, the nation waits to see the outcome of the case and the potential consequences for the accused.