Lecture Notes: The Pune Porsche Crash Incident

Overview

• Date of Incident: May 18, 2014
• Location: Pune, India
• Victims: Ashwini Costa and Anish Aadia, both 24 and IT Engineers
• Accused: 17-year-old Vedant (real name concealed), from a wealthy family
• Incident: A high-speed crash involving a luxury Porsche driven by the accused, who was intoxicated and underage.

Details of the Incident

• Timeline: May 18, 2014
  • 24-year-olds Ashwini Costa and Anish Aadia visit the Balor Club in Kalyani Nagar.
  • Around 10:40 PM, Vedant and 12 friends gather at Cozy Pub to celebrate 12th grade results.
  • Party continues at the Black Club until 2 AM.
  • Vedant, without a valid license, insists on driving the Porsche despite intoxication.
  • Around 2:30 AM, Vedant's speeding Porsche collides with Ashwini and Anish's motorcycle on Kalyani Nagar Airport Road.
  • Impact: Ashwini thrown 20 ft, Anish flung into a parked car. Both died instantly.
  • Porsche Speed: 160-200 kmph.

Immediate Aftermath

• Police Response:
  • Bystanders pulled Vedant from the car.
  • Incident video goes viral.
  • Vedant taken to the Yerwada police station.
  • FIR filed based on Akib Mulla's complaint (friend of the deceased).
  • Local MLA Sunil Tingre’s involvement; vague reasons for police inaction.
  • Vedant provided comfort (burgers, pizzas) instead of being questioned rigorously.
  • Initial blood tests tampered to show no alcohol.

Family and Legal Influence

• Wealth and Influence:
  • Vedant’s family owns Brahma Realty and Infrastructure.
  • Privileged lifestyle allowing undue leniency in handling the case.
  • Attempts to replace blood samples to avoid DUI charges.
  • Vedant’s father’s bribery attempts and intimidation of the driver to take the blame.
  • Multiple calls between Vedant’s father and hospital/authorities.
  • Laws amended but no stringent measures taken against privileged lawbreakers initially.

Consequences and Legal Actions

• Charges:
  • Initially filed under death by negligence.
  • Upgraded to culpable homicide based on CCTV footage.
  • Accusations against Vedant’s father for tampering evidence.
• Public Outcry:
  • Intense media and public scrutiny leading to retrial considerations.
  • Public protests, candlelight vigils, and social media outrage.
  • Essay competition by Congress youth wing in protest.

Systemic Corruption and Nepotism

• Legal Findings:
  • Medical evidence tampered; fake blood samples used to shield Vedant.
  • Re-evaluation of evidence leading to confirmation of culpable homicide.
• Judiciary Response: May 22
  • Juvenile Justice Board revokes bail and orders Vedant to observation home.
  • Vedant’s father faces multiple charges, including conspiracy and evidence destruction.
• Police Actions:
  • Arrests of involved doctors and pub owners.
  • Closure of pubs serving alcohol to minors.
  • Demolition of illegal pubs following public outcry.

Broader Impact

• Victims’ Background: Jabalpur, MP
  • Ashwini and Anish, promising careers in Pune.
  • Family members express deep grief and call for justice.
• Public Sentiment:
  • Outrage at the lenient initial punishment (300-word essay).
  • Systemic issues highlighted: corruption, nepotism, and lack of strict enforcement for wealthy families.
• Call for Justice:
  • Need for systemic changes and accountability in cases involving the affluent and influential.
  • Families’ demand for a Supreme Court-monitored investigation.

Conclusion

• Key Takeaways:

  • The Pune crash case underscores the danger of letting minors drive and the privileges afforded to the wealthy.<br>
  • The need for judicial and systemic reforms to ensure equal justice for victims regardless of social status.
  • Continued public vigilance is necessary to hold authorities accountable.

• Final Message:

  • Recognition of the profound grief faced by the victims' families.
  • Ensuring that justice prevails through continued advocacy and legal reforms.