Pune Porsche Incident: 17-Year-Old to Face Trial as Juvenile

Quick Summary

• A 17-year-old boy accused of driving a Porsche in an inebriated state, causing two deaths in Pune on May 19, 2024, will be tried as a juvenile, as announced by the Juvenile Justice Board on July 15, 2025.
• The victims were motorcycle-borne IT professionals Anish Awadhiya and Ashwini Costa.
• Pune police had sought to try the accused as an adult, citing the “heinous” nature of the crime and attempts to tamper with evidence. This plea was rejected by the Juvenile Justice Board.
• The teenager had initially received bail hours after the accident under lenient terms and was later sent to an observation home three days after public uproar over those terms.
• On June 25, 2024, Bombay High Court ordered his release from observation home custody due to improper implementation of juvenile law.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The decision by the Juvenile Justice Board underscores IndiaS legal framework for minors under conflict with the law: prioritizing reform over punishment. While such statutes are rooted in progressive principles meant to protect juveniles from harsh judicial systems that frequently enough fail at rehabilitation basics for young offenders-this particular case has amplified debates around justice versus accountability when minors commit egregious crimes with lethal results