The Bombay High Court has ordered the release of a minor boy allegedly involved in the Porsche car crash that resulted in the deaths of two IT professionals, Ashwini Koshta and Anish Awadhiya, in Pune. The court’s decision has sparked strong emotions, particularly from the mother of one of the victims, who has urged the judges to consider the pain of losing her daughter.
The tragic incident occurred in the early hours of May 19 when the luxury car, allegedly driven by the teen, collided with the victims’ two-wheeler in Kalyani Nagar. The police suspect that the minor was driving under the influence of alcohol.
The division bench of Justices Bharti Dangre and Manjusha Deshpande ordered the immediate release of the juvenile from an observation home, stating that the Juvenile Justice Board’s (JJB) remand orders were illegal and passed without jurisdiction.
“I was shocked after seeing the news. I have full faith in the judiciary. They must have made the decision after careful consideration. However, I request the judges to understand the pain of a mother who has lost her daughter. Punishment should be given accordingly so that the public can trust the judicial system,” said Mamta Koshta, mother of Ashwini Koshta.
Mrs. Koshta recalled that the Maharashtra government had assured them that justice would be served. “I don’t know what is in the law. My only request to the judges is to understand the pain of a mother who has lost her daughter. Many girls live there, and such incidents should not recur. Those who commit such crimes should learn a lesson. I only request the judges to make the right decision,” she told reporters.
The high court bench emphasized that the JJB’s remand orders were illegal and issued without proper jurisdiction. “We allow the petition and order his release. The CCL (Child in Conflict with Law) shall be in the care and custody of the petitioner (paternal aunt),” the court stated.
The bench noted that the court was bound by law, the aims, and objectives of the Juvenile Justice Act, and must treat the minor as any child in conflict with the law, separate from an adult, despite the seriousness of the crime.
The order was passed on a plea filed by the 17-year-old boy’s paternal aunt, who claimed he was illegally detained and sought his immediate release.
Sources By Agencies
