SC bail order in Pune Porsche crash case rekindles debate on leniency in juvenile crime

In a development that has once again raised concerns over lenient treatment in serious crimes involving juveniles , the Supreme Court on Monday granted bail to three accused in the 2024 Pune Porsche crash case, even as the main accused a 17-year-old who allegedly killed two people while driving drunk continues to face a maximum punishment of only three years in a reform home under juvenile law , and has already been released following a High Court order.

Granting bail to Amar Santish Gaikwad, Aditya Avinash Sood, and Ashish Satish Mittal, the Supreme Court nevertheless made sharp observations on parental responsibility. A Bench of Justices B.V. Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan said it was unacceptable for parents to give children access to vehicles and money without restraint, remarking that such conduct often leads to irreversible consequences.

The case stems from a May 19, 2024 incident in Pune’s Kalyani Nagar , where a Porsche allegedly driven by the minor under the influence of alcohol rammed into a motorcycle, killing two young IT professionals. The severity of the crash and the circumstances surrounding it triggered nationwide outrage.

Public anger deepened after the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) initially granted bail to the minor on what were widely seen as trivial terms, including directing him to write a 300-word essay on road safety . Although the order was later modified and the juvenile was sent to an observation home, the High Court in June ordered his release , reinforcing public perception that the punishment did not match the gravity of the offence.

The three accused granted bail by the Supreme Court were arrested in connection with an alleged conspiracy to tamper with blood samples to conceal alcohol consumption by the juvenile driver. Investigators have alleged that samples were swapped at Sassoon General Hospital , involving doctors, hospital staff, intermediaries and the juvenile’s parents. Several of these accused remain on trial for offences including forgery, destruction of evidence and criminal conspiracy.

While granting bail, the Supreme Court cited the period already spent in custody and the completion of substantial investigation , clarifying that the order did not amount to an acquittal and that the trial would continue before a sessions court.

Families of the victims have expressed strong disappointment , stating that repeated bail orders and releases send a troubling message about accountability, particularly when crimes result in loss of life. Their legal representatives have argued that alleged attempts to manipulate evidence further aggravate the seriousness of the case.

The Pune Porsche crash has since become a symbol of broader concerns surrounding road safety, underage driving, parental negligence and the limitations of juvenile justice laws , with critics arguing that the current framework fails to act as an effective deterrent in cases involving fatal offences.