In a significant development, the Bombay High Court has rejected the bail pleas of eight individuals accused of manipulating evidence in the high-profile Pune Porsche car crash case from May 2024. The court's decision underscores the serious nature of the allegations involving the swapping of blood samples to protect a minor driver.
Court Upholds Gravity of the Offence
The bench of Justice Shyam Chandak, after hearing arguments over six days, pronounced the operative part of the order rejecting bail relief on Tuesday. Special public prosecutor Shishir Hiray informed that the detailed order will be uploaded on the High Court's official website in due course.
The court was persuaded by the prosecution's argument that the accused had committed a fraud on the court through conspiracy and forging a valuable security—the blood samples. Hiray emphasized that the number of days spent in jail should not be the sole criteria for bail, but rather the criminality involved. He also pointed to the socially well-to-do background of the accused, stating they could potentially influence witnesses if released.
Who Are the Accused Denied Bail?
The list of those whose bail applications were rejected includes the father of the 17-year-old driver, who is a prominent Pune builder. Also denied bail were two suspended doctors from Sassoon General Hospital: Dr. Ajay Taware, the then-head of the forensic sciences department, and Dr. Shrihari Halnor, the then-chief medical officer.
Other co-accused include two agents, Ashpak Makandar and Amar Gaikwad, who allegedly facilitated the exchange of money. The fathers of the two other minors who were in the car at the time of the incident, along with a friend of one of these fathers who provided his blood as a replacement, were also denied bail.
The Fatal Crash and the Alleged Conspiracy
The case stems from a tragic incident in the early hours of May 19, 2024, in Pune's Kalyaninagar. A speeding Porsche Taycan, allegedly driven by the intoxicated 17-year-old, collided with a motorcycle, killing two young software engineers on the spot.
The police allege that after the crash, a conspiracy was hatched to replace the teen driver's blood sample with that of his mother. Similarly, the blood samples of the two accompanying minors were allegedly swapped with samples from a spares firm owner and a jeweller in exchange for money. The teen's mother, who provided her blood sample, is currently out on bail granted by the Supreme Court. A ninth accused, Atul Ghatkamble, a suspended mortuary staffer, did not apply for bail.
Case Proceeds as Legal Scrutiny Intensifies
The Bombay High Court's firm stance signals that the judiciary is treating the charges of evidence tampering with utmost seriousness. The rejection of bail to key figures, including medical professionals entrusted with forensic integrity, highlights the perceived gravity of obstructing justice.
As the legal process continues, the focus remains on ensuring a fair trial for the serious charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder and the subsequent cover-up attempt. The case has drawn widespread public attention, putting the processes of law, privilege, and accountability under intense scrutiny in Pune.
