Pune: Juvenile Justice Board Rejects Plea to Try 17-Year-Old Porsche Accused as Adult
Pune News, July 15, 2025 – In a significant development, the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) on Tuesday rejected the Pune police’s plea to treat the 17-year-old boy accused of a fatal drunk-driving incident as an adult. The teenager, who was allegedly driving a Porsche in an inebriated state when he mowed down two IT professionals last year, will now face trial as a juvenile.
The tragic incident occurred on May 19, 2024, in Pune’s Kalyani Nagar area, claiming the lives of Anish Awadhiya and Ashwini Costa, who were on a motorcycle. The case garnered nationwide outrage after the accused was granted bail within hours under controversial conditions, including writing a 300-word essay on road safety. Following public backlash, he was later sent to an observation home but was released on June 25, 2024, after the Bombay High Court ruled that his detention was illegal.
The Pune police had argued that the accused should be tried as an adult, citing the “heinous” nature of the crime, which involved not only the deaths of two individuals but also alleged attempts to tamper with evidence. However, the JJB upheld the juvenile status of the accused, as confirmed by his defense counsel.
This decision has reignited debates over juvenile justice laws in India, particularly in cases involving serious offenses. The families of the victims and legal experts are closely watching the proceedings as the trial moves forward under juvenile provisions.
The relatives of the victims and Pune Police are expected to challenge this decision in higher court.
