In a significant development in the high-profile Porsche Tycan car crash case in Pune, the Maharashtra government has granted permission to prosecute three staff members of Sassoon General Hospital—Dr. Ajay Taware, Dr. Shreehari Halnor, and mortuary staffer Atul Ghatkamble. This decision was conveyed to the court of special judge UM Mudholkar in Pune on Thursday. The case, which shook the city, centers on a tragic incident where two young software engineers lost their lives after their motorcycle was hit by a Porsche driven by a 17-year-old boy, reportedly under the influence of alcohol.
The accident occurred in the early hours of May 19 in Kalyani Nagar. The teenager, the son of a prominent city builder, was returning home to Wadgaon Sheri with two friends and a family driver after celebrating the completion of his Class XII board exams at pubs in the Mundhwa area. He reportedly lost control of the Porsche Taycan, hitting the bike from behind. The collision resulted in the death of two IT professionals, sparking an outcry over alleged favoritism and cover-up attempts due to the driver’s affluent background.
Such sanction to prosecute or frame charges against government employees is mandatory
Shishir Hiray Special prosecutor
The primary accusation against Dr. Taware, head of Sassoon Hospital’s forensic science department, casualty medical officer Dr. Halnor, and mortuary staffer Ghatkamble is that they allegedly conspired with the juvenile driver’s father to falsify the driver’s blood alcohol test results. According to police, the father allegedly offered money in exchange for swapping the blood sample of the minor with that of his mother to obscure any signs of intoxication. This purported cover-up was intended to protect the minor from severe legal consequences by avoiding an alcohol-positive test result.
With the government’s approval to prosecute these hospital staff members, the court has the green light to move forward with framing charges. Special public prosecutor Shishir Hiray stated, “We today submitted to the court that police has received the state government’s sanction to prosecute Taware, Halnor, and Ghatkamble in the case. Such sanction to prosecute or frame charges against government employees is mandatory.” The prosecution contends that the accused staff members, along with two middlemen who facilitated the swap, engaged in a deliberate attempt to alter evidence in a criminal case involving the minor.
Currently, all six individuals involved, including the juvenile’s parents and the middlemen, remain in custody as they await further legal proceedings. The case has sparked public debate, with many expressing concerns about the influence of wealth and connections on justice. The juvenile driver’s case is being reviewed by the Juvenile Justice Board, with authorities requesting that he be tried as an adult due to the serious nature of the charges and the tragic loss of life involved.
If the court decides to proceed with an adult trial, it could significantly impact the sentencing outcomes. Meanwhile, the Juvenile Justice Board is still considering the police's petition for an adult trial, raising questions about the broader implications for cases involving juveniles in criminal incidents. The public response to this case has highlighted ongoing frustrations with perceived discrepancies in the legal system and underscored the need for transparency and accountability in cases involving high-profile individuals.
Dr. Taware, Dr. Halnor, and Ghatkamble face serious charges of evidence tampering, which, if proven, could lead to significant penalties. Public scrutiny continues to build around this case, as many demand strict punishment for all parties involved in the alleged cover-up.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Yash Kamble/MSM)
