Bombay High Court Refuses Immediate Release of Minor in Pune Porsche Crash Case
Pune, 15th June 2024: The Bombay High Court on Friday declined to provide urgent relief for the minor accused in the Pune Porsche crash case. The decision came during the hearing of a habeas corpus petition filed by the minor’s paternal aunt, who claimed that he is being illegally detained and treated in violation of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act.
The aunt’s petition emphasized the nature of the incident, stating, “No matter how this unfortunate incident is perceived, it was an accident, and the driver was a minor.” She called for the “immediate release of the child in conflict with the law from unlawful and arbitrary custody” and sought to quash the “illegal” remand orders issued by the magistrate and juvenile justice board.
The boy’s aunt further alleged that the police mishandled the investigation, undermining the objectives of the Juvenile Justice Act.
Public prosecutor Hiten Venegavkar argued that the writ of habeas corpus is not maintainable as the minor is detained under the court’s order. He clarified that the minor is not in jail but in an observation home, thus negating the need for immediate release. Senior advocate Aabad Ponda, representing the minor, insisted on his “immediate release,” stressing that as a juvenile, he cannot be detained.
Justices Bharati Dangre and Manjusha Deshpande noted that the minor has been in an observation home since May 21 and saw no need for an interim order. They scheduled to consider the petition on June 20.
The incident occurred on May 19, when the boy, allegedly driving a Porsche at high speed while intoxicated, crashed into a bike in Kalyani Nagar, resulting in the deaths of two IT professionals Aneesh Awadhiya (24) and Ashwini Koshta (24), both natives of Madhya Pradesh.
