One Year After Pune Porsche Crash, Families Await Justice Amid Ongoing Trial

Exactly a year ago, a speeding Porsche crashed into a two-wheeler in Pune's Kalyani Nagar area, killing two young tech professionals, Anish Awadhiya and Ashwini Costa. The tragic accident not only devastated their families but also sparked a nationwide outcry, after it emerged that the luxury car was allegedly driven by a 17-year-old juvenile under the influence of alcohol.

The juvenile's subsequent bail by the Juvenile Justice Board within hours of the crash, with lenient conditions such as writing a 300-word essay on road safety, triggered widespread public outrage. Following police requests for a review, the minor was sent to an observation home, but the Bombay High Court later ordered his release.

In a parallel investigation, Pune police alleged that the juvenile's blood samples were swapped with those of his mother to conceal intoxication at the time of the crash. This led to the arrest of the boy's parents, two doctors from Sassoon General Hospital, and several others, including middlemen accused of facilitating financial transactions related to the alleged sample tampering.

Om Awadhiya, father of Anish, expressed deep frustration over the delay in justice. "A year has passed, but the trial is being stretched. Our son is no longer with us; nothing can compensate for that loss, but justice in this case would send a strong message against drunk driving and those who believe money and power put them above the law," he said. Both families have appealed to authorities to expedite the trial.

The accused currently in jail include the juvenile's father, doctors Ajay Taware and Shrihari Halnor, hospital staffer Atul Ghatkamble, two middlemen Bashpak Makandar and Amar Gaikwad, and others. The sessions court has rejected their bail pleas. However, proceedings are pending as Dr. Taware has filed an application seeking discharge from the case.

Special Public Prosecutor Shishir Hiray emphasised the seriousness of the case, stating that the accused tampered with key evidence such as blood reports and have attempted to cheat the judicial system. Except for the juvenile’s mother, none of the accused have secured bail due to strong prosecution opposition.

A senior Pune police official confirmed that, aside from the initial probe on May 19 last year, the investigation has been conducted professionally to build a watertight case.

According to police reports, at around 2:30 a.m. on May 19, 2024, Awadhiya, Costa, and friends were returning home on bikes when the speeding Porsche without a registration plate rammed into their two-wheeler. The juvenile driver, allegedly drunk, was accompanied by two minor friends and the car's driver. The teen had consumed alcohol after partying at two different hotels.

Following the accident, the juvenile was detained, but allegations of preferential treatment surfaced, leading Pune police chief Amitesh Kumar to suspend two officers from Yerawada police station.

Further investigations revealed that the juvenile's father and Dr. Taware orchestrated the swapping of blood samples with assistance from Dr. Halnore and hospital staffer Ghatkamble. The two minors in the car also had their blood samples reportedly swapped to hide alcohol consumption, resulting in arrests of their fathers.

The case also spotlighted the issue of liquor being served to underage patrons, with police registering cases against two hotels that allegedly served alcohol to the juvenile and his friends.

The families of the victims continue to seek justice as the trial progresses amid these complex legal and investigative developments.

(With inputs from PTI).