Pune Porsche Accident: Bombay High Court Orders Immediate Release Of Accused Minor
The Bombay High Court today ruled that the teenage boy who has been staying in the detention center in the Pune Porsche accident case must be released immediately.
While delivering the verdict, the court stated, they are bound by the law and the aim and objectives of the Juvenile Justice Act must treat the accused minor as any child in conflict with the law, separately from an adult, “despite the seriousness of the crime.”
A bench of Justice Bharati Dangre and Justice Manjusha Deshpande was hearing the habeas corpus petition filed by the boy’s aunt, demanding the 17-year-old boy’s release from the government observation home.
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The minor’s alleged rash driving of the Porsche on May 19 caused the deaths of two young engineers when the speeding car hit the two wheeler. The report of the driver being under the influence of alcohol and the speed at which the high-end car was driven caused nationwide protests against the accused.
While hearing the case, the High Court observed that the Juvenile Justice Board’s order, remanding the accused teen in an observation home, was illegal and without jurisdiction. The court noted that the CCL (child in conflict with the law) is under 18, and that the boy’s age needs to be considered. The court further stated that the teenager has been referred to a psychologist, and these sessions will continue.
A court had granted bail soon after arresting the accused teen, the son of a prominent businessman, on March 19, following the accident. However, due to the mounting public pressure against the bail of the 17-year-old, the juvenile court later sent him to the government observation home. Many public figures, including politicians, intervened in the case, highlighting the seriousness of the crime and the negligence of the accused and his family.
Political leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, mocked the bail conditions given to the accused, which included writing essays about accidents and seeking counselling.
The teen will now be under the care of his aunt. The accused’s parents and grandfather were arrested following their alleged attempt to conceal the crime.
While arguing the case, the layer appearing for the accused, Prashant Patil, stated that Section 12 of the Juvenile Justice Act clearly states that a child in conflict with the law cannot be detained.
Notably, as the investigation was going on in the case, many twists and attempts were caught by the police in which the family members of the accused allegedly tried to manipulate the blood samples of the accused, leading to the arrest of the guardians.
