The Porsche car involved in the car crash in Pune
Credit: PTI File Photo
Mumbai: In a setback to the police, the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) has declared that the teenage boy who was involved in the sensational Porsche car crash of Pune in May 2024 would be treated as a minor.
The Child in Conflict with Law (CCL) cannot be tried as an adult now, despite having crossed that threshold, the JJB has observed.
“The legal process as per the norms applicable to minors will continue,” the JJB said.
The detailed order is awaited.
The hit-and-run accident took place in Kalyani Nagar on May 19, and according to reports, the boy, then aged 17 years and nine months, who did not have a driving license and was under the influence of alcohol, was speeding the Porsche Taycan, which did not have any registration number plate, at over 200 kms per hour.
The speeding car hit a motorcycle killing Aneesh Awadhiya and Ashwini Koshta, both aged 24, working as IT engineers in Johnson Controls as data analysts. Aneesh and Ashwini hailed from Umaria and Jabalpur districts, respectively, of Madhya Pradesh.
The proceedings were held under Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, in short called as JJ Act.
The teenager was represented by his lawyer Prashant Patil, while Special Public Prosecutor Shishir Hiray represented the Pune police.
The prosecution has contended that CCL has been booked under Indian Penal Code Section 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and Section 467 (forgery) for alleged tampering of blood samples, which are heinous crimes and hence he should never be treated as an adult.
However, the defence has contended that the JJ Act was intended for rehabilitation and reform.
After the incident, the CCL was produced on 19 May 2024, before the JJB, which granted bail with conditions that he has to work with traffic police in Yerwada for 15 days, write an essay on ‘effect of road accidents and their solution’, undergo treatment for his drinking habit and take counselling sessions.
On 22 May, the CCL was sent to Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Udyog Kendra, a juvenile rehabilitation/correctional home. After the family moved the Bombay High Court, he was ordered to be released with the division bench noting on 25 June:
“We allow the petition and order his release. The CCL shall be in the care and custody of the petitioner (paternal aunt)…(as an) immediate reaction to the accident, the knee jerk reaction and the public outcry, the CCL's age was not considered, the CCL is under 18-years-old. His age needs to be considered.”