The Pune Police are searching for Gaurav Ahuja, son of a restaurant owner Manoj Ahuja, after a video of him went viral on social media on Saturday morning.
As seen in the video, Gaurav, allegedly under the influence of alcohol, got out of a BMW car at a traffic signal in Yerawada's Shastrinagar to openly urinate at the divider. When locals confronted him, the youth exposed himself to them and then sped off. Another youth in the car, seated beside him, was seen holding a liquor bottle.
Following the uproar on social media, the police checked the CCTV footage and tracked Gaurav’s identity using the number plate of the high-end car.
"The vehicle is registered in the name of Manoj Ahuja, a restaurant owner in the city. The accused driver has been identified as his son, Gaurav Ahuja. The incident took place at 7.30am on Saturday. A case has been registered against Gaurav and another youth seated beside him in the car. We have sent a police team to find them and take them into custody. They were last seen going towards Wagholi," an official said.
Who is Gaurav Ahuja?
According to activist Vijay Kumbhar, Gaurav isn't a first-time offender. "He is a habitual criminal with a long history of offences. He knows the law, how to exploit legal loopholes and how to evade arrest. His past record is filthy," Kumbhar wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
"Both Gaurav and his father Manoj have multiple criminal cases registered against them in connection with cricket betting and extortion. They have even jail time," claimed the activist.
"Interestingly, during one of Gaurav’s earlier arrests, a police officer’s son was also found involved. So, where does their audacity come from? Who’s their powerful political protector in Pune? Their three generations have made fortunes from illegal lottery businesses, and Gaurav has been booked for several crimes," he further wrote.
'Ashamed of my son'
Speaking to the media, Manoj said he was ashamed of his son's behaviour. "I am ashamed that he is my son. I will accept whatever action will be taken against me. My son's mobile phone has been switched off since morning. We are also searching for him," he said.
