Minor rams rented car into scooter in Hyderabad, one dead

Hyderabad: A 22-year-old man was killed and another injured after a minor allegedly driving a rented car rammed it into their scooter in the city on Sunday. The incident occurred in the afternoon, leaving one dead at the spot and the other with serious injuries.

Accident Details

The deceased, identified as a local resident, was riding pillion on the scooter when the car, reportedly driven by a 17-year-old, hit them from behind. The impact was severe enough to throw both riders off the vehicle. The scooter rider, who was in his mid-20s, sustained critical injuries and was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he is said to be out of danger.

Police reached the spot after passersby alerted them. The minor, who was accompanied by a friend in the car, was taken into custody for questioning. Initial reports suggest the car was rented from a private agency, though it is not yet clear how the minor obtained it.

Legal Action Initiated

Authorities have registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, including culpable homicide not amounting to murder and rash driving. Since the accused is a minor, the Juvenile Justice Act will likely apply, and the case will be referred to the Juvenile Justice Board. Officials have not yet confirmed whether the minor was driving without a licence, which is mandatory even for rental vehicles.

The rental agency has been asked to provide details about the vehicle's booking and the person who originally hired it. Police are also checking if the minor had prior instances of rash driving or if this was a first offence.

Rising Concerns Over Underage Driving

This incident adds to a worrying trend of minors taking vehicles on Indian roads without proper authorisation. In Hyderabad, multiple cases have been reported in recent months where teenagers were caught driving cars or bikes, often leading to fatal accidents. Legal experts point out that while the law is stringent, enforcement remains lax, especially when it comes to rental services that fail to verify age and licence details.

The family of the deceased has demanded strict action, saying that such negligence cannot be excused. "He was the sole breadwinner," a relative told reporters, though police have not officially commented on the family's statement.

Investigation Underway

Police are examining CCTV footage from the area to ascertain the speed of the car and whether the minor violated traffic signals. The injured scooter rider's statement will be recorded once he is stable. Meanwhile, the minor's parents have been summoned to the police station, and the car has been seized for forensic examination.

The rental agency's compliance with Motor Vehicles Act rules is also under scrutiny, as hiring a vehicle to a minor is a punishable offence. Officials say they will verify if the agency conducted proper background checks before handing over the keys.

As the investigation continues, the focus will be on establishing the sequence of events leading to the crash and determining the liability of all parties involved. The Juvenile Justice Board is expected to take up the matter within a week, and the outcome will be closely watched by road safety advocates who have long called for stricter measures against underage driving.