File FIR against father for asking minor son to ride bike : HC

Justice Ajay Khanvilkar and Justice Pramod Kode observed that the probe must be held by an officer of a rank not less than Deputy Commissioner of Police of Khar area where the mishap occurred.

Fourteen-year-old Mohammed Allaudin Shaikh while riding his father's motorbike met with an accident on January 4 in which one Moti Jhangiani was killed. Police filed a report saying boy's father had allowed him to ride the bike.

Mohammed was produced in a juvenile court which released him on bond of good behaviour. The father of the child was charged with less serious offence under Motor Vehicles Act for allowing Mohammed to drive his bike without licence.

The victim's son, Vinod, moved the High Court saying the police had not charged the father with serious offences such as aiding and abetting crime of rash and negligent driving and accidental death.

Advocate Peter Lobo, on behalf of petitioner, pleaded that if the father had not allowed the son to ride the bike the accident would not have occurred. Therefore he was equally guilty of the crime and FIR should be filed against him under IPC sections.

The court thereupon directed police to register FIR against Allaudin Shaukat Shaikh under IPC sections and asked DCP to conduct the probe.