Mumbai: A 14-year-old boy from Ghatkopar and his 15-year-old neighbour died after a speeding tempo hit their scooter on Andheri-Ghatkopar Link Road early on Sunday after they reportedly sneaked out of their homes to take a joyride.The 14-year-old, Ganesh Mahamuni, had reportedly swiped the key to his father’s scooter without his knowledge while his family was asleep.Ghatkopar police arrested the tempo driver, Prem Baldevram (34), on charges of causing death by negligence and rash and reckless driving. He was later released on bail.Vitthal Ardekar, senior inspector, Ghatkopar police, said no action was initiated against Ganesh’s father, Sunil Mahamuni (44), based on his statement that he had no clue that the teen had taken his scooter.Police said Ganesh, a Class 9 student, and his next-door neighbour, Aryan Paswan, who was in Class 10, took the scooter out around 5am. Ganesh was riding it and Aryan was on the pillion. Barely 1km from their homes, the tempo crashed into them on Andheri-Ghatkopar Link Road below Jagruti Nagar Metro Station in Ghatkopar. Ganesh managed to ask a passing biker to call his father. “On getting the call, I initially thought my son had taken his bicycle but realised after getting to the spot that they had taken the scooter,” said Sunil, a daily wage worker, in his statement. Both boys were taken to Rajawadi Hospital, where they later succumbed.
