Dad in custody for letting son, 9, drive Ferrari in India

Thiruvananthapuram: A million hits on YouTube for a nine-year-old Kerala kid may have provided pleasure for his family, but the authorities in the state were not as amused.

Mohammad Nisham, a native of Thrissur, was taken into custody by police following the ruckus over his son driving a Ferrari on his birthday. The man was later released on bail.

The young boy’s Ferrari driving has been a hot topic on social media sites over the past few days, with several condemning the act and criticising the parents for letting it happen. The video, which was put on YouTube, also showed a younger child in the car, while the nine-year-old drove the Ferrari F-430, estimated to cost Rs35 million.

The car was initially taken in by police, but has been released on condition that it is presented when the court takes up the matter. The boy’s driving was in violation of both the provisions of the Juvenile Act, and the Motor Vehicles Act. His father may have to face charges of endangering the child’s life by letting him drive, as well as endangering the lives of others on the road. Reports indicate that it was with the knowledge of the boy’s parents that he drove the car and that the child had driven several other cars that the family owns.