Teen’s Privilege, System’s Failure
The accused is the son of a prominent Pune businessman. The car was a Rs 2.5 crore electric Porsche. He was celebrating his exam results that night. CCTV footage confirmed heavy underage drinking — a bar bill of Rs 48,000 in just 90 minutes. Yet, the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) ruled that he cannot be tried as an adult.
Why? Because he was four months shy of turning 18. Even though Maharashtra’s legal drinking age is 25, and he had no license, the board stuck to age as the sole factor.
Public Backlash Over Bail Conditions
The JJB granted him bail within 15 hours. One of the conditions? To write a 300-word essay on road safety. This ignited national outrage. The public and legal experts called it a mockery of justice.
Under pressure, the board later placed him under the custody of state authorities. But even that decision was soon overturned by the Bombay High Court.
Allegations of Evidence Tampering
Public anger only grew when reports emerged that police officers fed the teen burgers right after the crash. This was allegedly done to dilute alcohol levels in his bloodstream. Authorities also failed to inform superiors in time — a clear violation of procedure.
The situation worsened when it was revealed that his blood samples were replaced with his mother’s. According to the investigation, doctors and hospital staff aided the cover-up. Dr. Ajay Taware, Dr. Shrihari Halnor, and a hospital employee are now in custody, along with two middlemen.
Voices of Grief and Demand for Justice
“Our world came crashing down,” said Om Awadhiya, Aneesh’s father. “We lost our son. Nothing can bring him back. But justice is the least we deserve.”
He added, “If someone kills and walks free just because they are rich, what message are we sending? Is this the value of a common man’s life?”
Ashwini Koshta’s family echoes the same pain. A promising software engineer, Ashwini had moved to Pune for better opportunities. Her dreams were crushed under a speeding Porsche.
Legal System Under Scrutiny
The core issue here is accountability. When a teenager is involved in a heinous crime like drunk driving and double homicide, should age alone protect them from serious consequences?
According to the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, children between 16 and 18 can be tried as adults for heinous crimes. But this case shows how power, wealth, and connections can still influence outcomes.
Ongoing Investigation and Arrests
As of July 2025, several people are in jail:
- The teen’s father
- Two doctors accused of tampering blood reports
- A hospital employee
- Two middlemen involved in the cover-up
However, the main accused — the teen — remains with his family.
Will There Be Justice?
The outrage surrounding this crash isn’t just about two deaths. It reflects the growing frustration with a system that appears to shield the privileged.
Each twist in this case — from feeding burgers, swapping samples, to writing essays — adds to public disbelief. Millions are now watching, waiting, and hoping that the judiciary will uphold justice — not status.
A Tragedy That Must Not Be Repeated
This incident reminds us that drunk driving is a deadly crime. According to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, India records over 150,000 road deaths every year. A large number are caused by reckless, drunk, or underage drivers.
This case could become a turning point — if justice is delivered fairly and firmly. If not, it risks telling future offenders that consequences are optional — if you’re rich enough.
Let’s not allow that message to take root.
