Panchkula: Teen killed, friend hurt in Amravati Enclave hit-run

PANCHKULA: A 16-year-old Class XI student was killed and his classmate injured after a car rammed into their scooter in Amravati Enclave, Pinjore, in a hit-and-run on Sunday evening.
The victim is Chris Poddar and the injured, Rishit Attri (16), both residents of the society. Ajay Poddar, the father of Chris, is the deputy vice-chancellor at a university in South Africa.
Umesh Attri, 43, a private company employee and the father of Rishit, said Chris and Rishi were riding the scooter in the society, when the Maruti Swift car bearing registration number HR-11-E-1127 hit them from the front. Both the boys fell on the ground. Chris was declared brought dead at General Hospital, Sector 6. The condition of Rishit is critical. He is admitted to ICU (intensive care unit) of a private hospital in Sector 21.
Family members of the victim alleged the car was driven by a woman, claiming CCTV footage will back the claim. However, the owner of the car claimed a male member of the family was behind the wheels.
Rishit's uncle Sachin alleged, "Eye-witnesses told us the car was driven by a woman. Footage from CCTV cameras in the society also clearly show that the driver was a woman. Cops must investigate the matter in a fair manner."
Police registered a case under sections 279 (rash driving on public way), 337 (causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others), 427 (mischief causing damage to the amount of fifty rupees) and 304-A (death cause due to negligence) of the IPC at the Pinjore police station. However, no arrest was made so far. Police said they would scan the CCTV footage.
On Monday, residents of Amravati Enclave carried out a candlelight march to show solidarity with the family of the victim and urged people to follow traffic rules. Pradeep Rapariya, an advocate, said, "After this incident, we appeal to everybody to follow traffic rules. The death of a teenager is a major loss not only for the family but for all of us."