In a significant legal development, a Pune court has granted bail to Vishal Agarwal and Surendra Agarwal, the father and grandfather of the teenager accused in the tragic Porsche accident that claimed the lives of two software engineers. The court’s decision addresses one of several charges against the family stemming from the incident on May 19, 2024.
Incident Background
The accident occurred when a Porsche, allegedly driven by the 17-year-old in an intoxicated state, collided with a motorcycle, resulting in the deaths of Anish Awadhiya and Ashwini Costa. The case has since drawn significant public and media attention, particularly regarding the actions of the accused teenager and his family members.
Charges and Legal Proceedings
- Vishal Agarwal: The father was initially arrested for allowing his unlicensed minor son to drive an unregistered vehicle, violating both the Motor Vehicles Act and the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act. He faces additional charges related to the alleged manipulation of evidence and attempting to cover up the incident by coercing others to take responsibility for the crash.
- Surendra Agarwal: The grandfather was arrested on charges of kidnapping and wrongful confinement of the family driver, whom he allegedly forced to take the blame for the accident. This included accusations of threatening the driver to ensure he falsely confessed to driving the car during the incident.
Court’s Decision
The court granted bail to both Vishal and Surendra Agarwal, noting that they will remain under judicial scrutiny as investigations continue. While Vishal Agarwal will continue to face multiple ongoing legal battles, including allegations of evidence tampering, the bail grants provide temporary relief amid the complex legal proceedings.
This decision underscores the judiciary’s efforts to balance due process with the severity of the charges and the public interest in the case.