Bombay HC Orders Release of Minor Accused in Pune Car Crash, Citing Age Consideration

The Bombay High Court on Tuesday ordered the immediate release of a 17-year-old boy involved in a fatal Porsche car accident in Pune. The teen, who police allege was driving under the influence when his luxury car collided with a two-wheeler on May 19, killing two techies, had been detained in an observation home in Pune.

A division bench of Justices Bharati Dangre and Manjusha Deshpande overturned the Juvenile Justice Board’s (JJB) orders to remand the minor to the observation home, deeming them illegal and beyond jurisdiction. The court highlighted that the minor’s age was overlooked amid the immediate public outcry and kneejerk reactions following the accident. Emphasizing the Juvenile Justice Act’s principles, the court stated that children in conflict with the law must be treated differently from adults, regardless of the crime’s severity.

Consequently, the court ruled that the minor should be placed under the care and custody of his paternal aunt, as he was already undergoing rehabilitation and psychological assessment. This decision came in response to a plea by the boy’s aunt, who argued that his detention was unlawful and influenced by public and political pressures.

Initially, the JJB had granted the boy bail on May 19, placing him under his parents’ and grandfather’s supervision. However, following a police application to amend the bail order, the JJB ordered his custody and placement in the observation home on May 22.

Also Read| Congress MP Rahul Gandhi Appointed as Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha

Author:- Apoorva Arora