Juvenile Justice Board Rejects Police Plea to Try 17-Year-Old in Deadly Porsche Crash as Adult
The Juvenile Justice Board in Pune has dismissed the police's application to try the 17-year-old accused in the deadly Porsche car crash as an adult, stating the offense does not qualify as a 'heinous crime.' The case has attracted nationwide attention due to its controversial aspects.
Juvenile Justice BoardPorsche CrashHeinous CrimeReal Estate DeveloperPuneReal Estate PuneJul 15, 2025
The boy, the son of a well-known real estate developer, is accused of driving the luxury car in the Kalyani Nagar area of Pune in an inebriated state. He allegedly fatally knocked down two motorcycle-borne IT professionals, Anish Awadhiya and Ashwini Costa, in May last year. The incident attracted nationwide attention.
The Pune city police filed an application before the Board, citing sections of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, to have the child in conflict with the law (CCL) tried as an adult. The police argued that the boy committed a heinous act, not only because two people were killed but also because there were attempts to tamper with the evidence.
On Tuesday, the Board rejected the police's plea to treat the boy as an adult for the trial. Defence counsel Prashant Patil cited a Supreme Court judgment in the Shilpa Mittal vs State case, which defines what constitutes a heinous crime. According to the judgment, for a crime to be considered heinous, the minimum punishment must be seven years. In this case, no section invoked in the case carries a minimum punishment of seven years.
Patil stated, 'We had cited a Supreme Court Judgment - Shilpa Mittal Vs State in which the SC has defined what constitutes a heinous crime. The guidelines decided by the Supreme Court are binding on everyone. However, the plea by the prosecution is contrary to the apex court's judgement. We demanded that since the plea is contrary to the SC guidelines, it is not maintainable.'
The Board's preliminary assessment did not determine that the boy should be treated as an adult. Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) Shishir Hiray noted that the case has broader implications for public debate on juvenile justice laws.
'The Supreme Court has already ruled on these provisions, but a wider deliberation is essential. There appear to be loopholes in the existing law. Collective efforts are needed to address these shortcomings, particularly regarding the age definition of a juvenile. As a lawyer and a responsible member of society, I see it as my duty to highlight these flaws, and I will continue to do so,' Hiray insisted.
The SPP further emphasized that the case, where a 17-year-old was allowed to consume alcohol and drive, calls for a deeper examination of issues like drunk driving and its effects. 'In this case, the accused, including the boy's parents and doctors, attempted to manipulate the judicial process by swapping the teenager's blood samples post-crash. The integrity of the justice system was shaken,' he argued.
The teenager was initially granted bail with lenient terms, including writing a 300-word essay on road safety, which triggered a nationwide firestorm. Following the controversy, he was sent to an observation home in Pune. On June 25 last year, the Bombay High Court directed his immediate release, stating that the Board's orders remanding him to an observation home were illegal and the law regarding juveniles must be implemented fully.
Arguments have been ongoing for framing charges against 10 other accused, including the teenager's parents, before a sessions court in Pune. While the boy’s mother is out on bail, the remaining nine are in jail. The prosecution recently told the court that attempts were made to swap blood samples at a second hospital to save the juvenile accused, but it was unsuccessful.
The Pune police, who first collected blood samples at the state-run Sassoon Hospital, suspected tampering. They then collected samples at the Aundh Government Hospital as a precaution. However, some of the accused, including the boy's parents, approached the Aundh hospital authorities to swap the samples, but the doctors refused to cooperate and turned them away.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the main reason the Juvenile Justice Board rejected the police's application?
The Juvenile Justice Board rejected the police's application because the offense committed by the 17-year-old boy does not qualify as a 'heinous crime' under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.
Who is the 17-year-old boy accused in the case?
The 17-year-old boy is the son of a well-known real estate developer and is accused of driving a Porsche car in an inebriated state, resulting in the deaths of two IT professionals in Pune.
What did the police argue in their application to the Board?
The police argued that the boy committed a heinous act, not only because two people were killed but also because there were attempts to tamper with the evidence.
What is the legal definition of a 'heinous crime' according to the Supreme Court?
According to the Supreme Court, a crime is considered heinous if the minimum punishment for the offense is seven years. In this case, no section invoked carries a minimum punishment of seven years.
What were the consequences of the lenient bail terms granted to the teenager?
The lenient bail terms, including asking the teenager to write a 300-word essay on road safety, triggered a nationwide firestorm. Following the controversy, he was sent to an observation home in Pune.
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