A 17-year-old Porsche driver, who allegedly consumed alcohol at two pubs, caused a fatal accident in Pune’s Kalyani Nagar, killing two motorbike riders. Police claim the teenager was intoxicated at the time.
The teen reportedly spent Rs 48,000 within 90 minutes at Cosie restaurant and Hotel Blak Club, where he was served alcohol just hours before the crash. Both establishments are now under investigation for serving liquor to minors.
On the night of the incident, the teenager and his friends visited these pubs between 9:30 PM and 1:00 AM. The Maharashtra excise department has since sealed the two pubs involved.
The Pune Police have arrested the father of the teen and four executives from the pubs for serving alcohol to a minor. Despite the severity of the incident, the Juvenile Justice Board granted the teenager bail the same day and mandated he write an essay on road accidents, a decision that has sparked criticism.
The Maharashtra Transport Department has barred the 17-year-old from obtaining a driving license until he turns 25. Additionally, the permanent registration of the Porsche Taycan had been pending due to an unpaid fee of Rs 1,758.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also handles the home portfolio, expressed shock at the lenient treatment by the Juvenile Justice Board and advocated for trying the teenager as an adult.
Following public outrage, the excise department has initiated an inspection drive to ensure compliance with liquor laws, including prohibitions on serving alcohol to minors and operating beyond the 1:30 AM deadline. Violations will result in legal action and license cancellations.
The victims of the crash were identified as Anish Awadhiya and Ashwini Koshta, both 24-year-old IT professionals from Madhya Pradesh working in Pune.
