The Incident
In the early hours of Sunday, May 19, 2024, a high-speed Porsche driven by a minor collided with multiple vehicles on a Pune street, resulting in the deaths of two individuals and severe injuries to several others. The accident, which occurred in the posh Kalyani Nagar area, has sparked significant public outcry and legal action.
Victims and Immediate Aftermath
The victims, Ashwini Koshta, an IT engineer, and Aneesh Awadhiya, were both killed on impact. Koshta’s funeral took place in her hometown of Jabalpur, with grieving family and friends in attendance. The other injured individuals were rushed to nearby hospitals, and their conditions are being monitored closely.
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Investigation and Arrests
Following the accident, the Pune police quickly initiated an investigation. The minor driver was found to have consumed alcohol at two local pubs before the incident. These establishments, Cosie, and another unnamed pub were serving alcohol to underage patrons and have since been sealed by the excise department.
The police have detained the minor’s father, Vishal Agarwal, who is accused of negligence and failing to prevent his underage son from driving. Alongside Agarwal, five others have been arrested in connection with the case, including individuals responsible for serving alcohol to the minor.
Legal Actions and Public Response
The incident has prompted calls for stringent legal actions against those responsible. The Pune Police Commissioner has stated that they will seek to try the minor as an adult, given the severity of the offense. This decision has received support from various public figures and organizations, including the National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR).
Broader Implications
This tragic event has highlighted the issues of underage drinking and reckless driving in Pune. Authorities are now under pressure to implement more robust measures to prevent such incidents in the future. The case continues to develop, with further legal proceedings expected in the coming weeks.
Victim’s Family Reactions
“We are in shock,” said her uncle Sachin Bokde. “It is condemnable that he should get bail in 15 hours. He and his parents should be investigated. We will discuss the matter once Ashwini’s last rites are over tomorrow,” he added. Asked if there was a possibility of political pressure in the case, he said it was “quite possible and elections are on anyway”.
“We want his bail canceled and he should remain in police custody. Because of him, an innocent girl, who has seen nothing of life, died,” said her uncle Sachin Bokde.
Another relative of Ashwini’s, Ayodhya Prasad Koshta, “The pubs in the city should be investigated. they were serving alcohol to minors which is illegal. There are several such complaints pending with the police.”
Ashwini’s father, Suresh Kumar Koshta, works as an office assistant in the state’s electricity department. One of his sons, Samprit Koshta, is a software engineer in Bengaluru.
A software engineer, Ashwini had been living in Pune for the last two years. She was working with Amazon when she first moved to Pune. A year ago, she switched jobs and joined the Johnson Controls Company.
Meanwhile, Satish Awadhiya, uncle of the second victim, Aneesh Awadhiya, said, “The way things are going, I do not see we are getting any justice.”
