The Maharashtra Government has removed two members of the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) in Pune following allegations of power misuse. This decision, announced by the State Commissioner for Women and Child Development, was made after an inquiry into the board’s handling of a controversial case involving a minor.
The two members were accused of granting bail to a 17-year-old who was involved in a fatal car accident in Pune on May 19, 2024.
The bail conditions they imposed included writing a 300-word essay on road safety, which led to widespread criticism for its perceived leniency.
The case had become a point of contention, sparking outrage over what many saw as a failure of justice, given the severity of the incident.
On Tuesday, the state’s Women and Child Development Department issued an official notification announcing the sacking of the two members.
According to the notification, the government’s investigation concluded that the two members had indeed misused their authority under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015. As a result, the state decided to terminate their appointments.
The tragic accident occurred when a Porsche, driven by the 17-year-old, collided with a motorcycle. The crash led to the deaths of 24-year-old Anish Awadhiya and his friend Ashwini Koshta.
The incident was particularly controversial as it was alleged that the minor was driving under the influence of alcohol, raising concerns about underage drinking.
Reports suggested that the teenager had been served alcohol at a restaurant and bar in Pune, despite being below the legal drinking age.
The lenient bail conditions and the minor’s release raised questions about the influence of political connections. Critics argued that the minor’s family’s connections may have played a role in the decision-making process, leading to the removal of the two JJB members.
Following the accident, the Pune Crime Branch registered a case against the parents of the minor driver and several doctors from Sassoon Hospital.
The doctors and two others were accused of conspiring to tamper with evidence, specifically related to the blood sample of the minor. Authorities suspected that efforts were made to manipulate the evidence to protect the accused.
As the investigation progressed, on September 26, the Pune Police submitted a supplementary report to the Juvenile Justice Board. The report included additional charges of evidence tampering against the minor.
Previously, the police had charged the minor with culpable homicide not amounting to murder. The new charges aimed to address concerns that the evidence had been mishandled to benefit the accused.
The ongoing case highlights issues surrounding juvenile justice, especially in cases involving severe offences. It also underscores the influence that connections and status can have on legal proceedings.
The removal of the two JJB members is seen by some as a step towards accountability and ensuring that justice is served, regardless of the accused's background.
The Women and Child Development Department has reiterated its commitment to ensuring that such incidents are thoroughly investigated. The state’s move to terminate the appointments of the two JJB members demonstrates a stance against misuse of authority and aims to restore public faith in the justice system.
Authorities have stated that they will continue to monitor the case closely to ensure all legal procedures are followed correctly and fairly.
The incident also serves as a reminder of the need for stricter enforcement of laws related to underage drinking and reckless driving. Campaigners and activists have called for better regulation of establishments that serve alcohol, particularly in ensuring that minors are not provided with alcoholic beverages. The state government, responding to the public outcry, has assured that it will take steps to address these concerns.
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