juvenile-court-cancels-bail-of-teen-in-pune-porsche-accident

A juvenile court in Pune has revoked the bail of a 17-year-old boy involved in a car crash that killed two IT professionals. The incident occurred on May 19 when the speeding Porsche, driven by the minor allegedly under the influence of alcohol, struck Aneesh Awadhiya and Ashwini Costa, who were riding a motorbike. Both victims, aged 24, lost their lives in the accident.

The court's decision on Wednesday also included remanding the teenager to an Observation Home until June 5. This move came after the initial bail conditions, which required the minor to work with the Yerwada traffic police for 15 days and write an essay on road accidents, were met with widespread criticism. The leniency of the bail conditions sparked public outrage and prompted the Pune Police to seek a review of the order.

The police argued that the nature of the crime was heinous and that the teenager should be treated as an adult. In response to the incident, the police also arrested four individuals, including the teenager's father and managers of the bar that served alcohol to the minor.

The First Information Report (FIR) filed against the minor includes charges under several sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). These include Section 304 for culpable homicide not amounting to murder, Section 304A for causing death by negligence, Section 279 for rash driving, Section 337 for causing hurt by an act endangering human life, and Section 338 for causing grievous hurt by an act endangering life or personal safety. Additionally, relevant sections of the Motor Vehicles Act have been invoked.

The tragic accident occurred as Aneesh Awadhiya and Ashwini Costa were returning from an impromptu dinner with friends. The speeding luxury vehicle, driven by the minor who is the son of a prominent real estate developer, hit them, leading to their untimely deaths. The police have emphasised the severity of the incident and their commitment to ensuring justice for the victims.

The decision to cancel the bail and remand the minor to an Observation Home underscores the judiciary's recognition of the gravity of the case. It also reflects the societal demand for stricter accountability in incidents involving reckless driving and underage drinking.

This case highlights the ongoing issues of juvenile delinquency and the responsibilities of establishments in preventing the serving of alcohol to minors. It also raises questions about the adequacy of current legal frameworks in dealing with such incidents and the need for potential reforms to address these challenges more effectively.