Two Pune police officers suspended for alleged delay in Porsche accident

In a significant development in the Pune Porsche accident case, two officials of the Yerawada police station were suspended on Friday for alleged dereliction of duty. This follows an incident on May 19 in which a 17-year-old driving a Porsche allegedly struck and killed two people.

Inspector Rahul Jagdale and assistant police inspector Vishwanath Todkari have been suspended for “late reporting” and “dereliction of duty”, according to additional commissioner of police Manoj Patil.

The accident, which occurred in the Kalyani Nagar area, was initially registered at the Yerawada police station. Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar admitted that an internal investigation had revealed lapses on the part of the police, including in the timely collection of blood samples from the minor.

The samples, crucial to the investigation as the driver is believed to have consumed alcohol in two pubs, were taken at 11 p.m., several hours after the 3 a.m. crash.

The case, initially registered under Section 304(A) (death caused by negligence) of the IPC, was later updated to include Section 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder).

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar stressed the need for strict action in the matter. He said the investigation should take place without political interference and he was receiving regular updates from the Pune police. Pawar also noted that the matter was being handled transparently and action was being taken against illegal pubs and bars in the city.

Responding to the matter, Congress leader and Kasba MP Ravindra Dhangekar has written to Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, demanding that the probe be conducted by a retired judge. He expressed concerns over the rise of pub culture in Pune, highlighting its impact on the youth and the city's reputation as an educational hub.

Dhangekar also protested outside the police commissioner's office, calling for the suspension of the investigating officer and filing of a case against him.

The incident, involving the teenage son of real estate developer Vishal Agarwal, attracted public attention, especially after the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) initially granted bail by requiring the accused to write a 300 word essay. Following public outcry and a request for a police review, the JJB detained the teenager in an observation house until June 5.