Pune, July 15: The 17-year-old boy accused in the Pune Porsche crash that killed two young IT professionals will not be tried as an adult, the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) ruled on Sunday, triggering a wave of public outrage. The fatal incident took place in the early hours of May 19 in Pune’s Kalyani Nagar area, when the teenager, allegedly under the influence of alcohol, was driving a high-end Porsche at excessive speed. He rammed into a motorcycle carrying Aneesh Awadhiya and Ashwini Koshta - both 24 years old and from Madhya Pradesh, killing them on the spot.

The fact that the accused is the son of a prominent Pune-based real estate developer led to widespread anger and suspicions of preferential treatment. What further inflamed public sentiment was the initial bail granted just 15 hours after the crash. Among the original bail conditions was a requirement for the teen to write a 300-word essay on road safety, a move that many saw as disturbingly inadequate considering the severity of the offense.

Following intense public pressure and media scrutiny, Pune police appealed to the Juvenile Justice Board to allow the minor to be tried as an adult. They cited the serious nature of the crime and the influence of alcohol, and expressed concern that the family’s social standing could influence the outcome. The accused was later sent to an observation home while the JJB reviewed the request.

However, in its final decision, the Board maintained that the accused would remain under the juvenile justice system. It cited the absence of prior criminal behavior and stressed the legal principle that juveniles should be rehabilitated, not punished. Under current juvenile law, the maximum punishment he can face is three years in a reform facility, far less than the consequences faced by adult offenders.

The ruling has reignited the debate over India’s juvenile justice laws and whether they are equipped to handle grave crimes, especially when the accused comes from a position of privilege. The families of the victims expressed deep disappointment, with one parent saying, “Our children followed every rule. They died for no fault of theirs. Where is the justice in this?”

Legal experts and political leaders have called for a review of existing laws, especially in cases involving serious offenses like drunk driving, reckless behavior, or fatalities. While the prosecution still has the option to challenge the Board’s decision in a higher court, the current ruling has left many questioning the fairness of the system and whether wealth and influence continue to tip the scales of justice.