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What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
NEW DELHI:In a crucial development following the fatal Porsche crash in Pune, the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) has canceled the bail of the 17-year-old involved in the accident and decided that he will be tried as an adult. The minor, who had initially been released on bail just 15 hours after his detention, will now be held in a remand home until June 5, citing public safety concerns and the severity of the charges.
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This decision comes amid significant public outrage and scrutiny over the initial leniency shown by the JJB. The bail conditions previously imposed, which included writing a 300-word essay on road safety and working with traffic police for 15 days, were widely criticized as insufficient given the gravity of the incident.
The tragic accident occurred in Pune’s upscale Kalyani Nagar area, claiming the lives of two 24-year-old IT engineers, Aneesh Awadhiya and Ashwini Koshta. The victims were struck from behind by the speeding Porsche driven by the underage son of prominent real estate developer Vishal Agrawal. Koshta died on the spot, while Awadhiya succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.
Following the incident, Vishal Agrawal was arrested in Maharashtra’s Sambhajinagar after a failed escape attempt. He faces charges under sections 75 and 77 of the Juvenile Justice Act for willful neglect and allowing his underage son to consume alcohol and drive. Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar stated, “We have technical evidence coupled with corroborative evidence to make a watertight case to have this accused punished under the relevant sections of the law.”
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Adding to the gravity of the situation, the police have arrested the owners and staff of the bars where the minor was served alcohol, as CCTV footage showed him consuming alcohol shortly before the accident. The establishments’ staff have been detained for violating laws prohibiting the sale of alcohol to minors.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed his disappointment at the initial leniency shown by the JJB, stating, “The decision to impose social service and an essay on the minor was inappropriate given the gravity of the incident. We have filed a revision application and will pursue every avenue until justice is served.”
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut alleged that the Pune Police provided preferential treatment to the minor during his detention, claiming he was given pizza, burgers, and biryani. These allegations have intensified scrutiny over the handling of the case.
The families of the deceased have been vocal in their demand for justice. Savitha Awadhiya, mother of Aneesh, emotionally stated, “He killed my son. Now, I will never be able to meet my son again. This is straight-up murder.”
Further details have emerged about the accused’s history, painting a troubling picture of his past behavior. It has been revealed that the 17-year-old has a history of bullying. Notably, he was involved in ragging the son of an MLA. Additionally, Maharashtra’s ex-minister, NCP(SP)’s Prajakt Tanpure’s wife, disclosed that her son was bullied by the accused while they were in the same class. Despite complaints to the parents of the accused, no proper response was received, forcing Tanpure’s family to change their son’s school.
During his stay at the observation home, the minor will undergo psychological assessments. Advocate Prashant Patil, who represented the teenager at the JJB hearing, explained that the process of deciding whether a juvenile should be treated as an adult accused can take at least two months, as reports from psychiatrists and counsellors among others are required.
The prosecution is determined to investigate why Agrawal allowed his son to drive a car that was not registered and why he absconded after the incident. The investigation continues as authorities seek to hold all responsible parties accountable for the tragic loss of two young lives. The case underscores the need for comprehensive measures to prevent such incidents in the future, ensuring that justice is served for the victims and their families.
