The Supreme Court on Monday granted bail to three individuals accused of tampering with blood samples in connection with the Pune hit-and-run case of May 2024. The accused—Aditya Sood, Ashish Mittal, and Amar Gaikwad—allegedly facilitated the replacement of the minor driver’s blood sample to conceal the presence of alcohol.

The original incident took place in the early hours of 18 May in Pune’s Kalyani Nagar, where a speeding Porsche car driven by a minor allegedly under the influence of alcohol collided with a motorcycle. The crash resulted in the deaths of two software engineers, Aneesh Awadhiya and Ashwini Kosta, both aged 24.

Following the bail decision, the families of the victims, based in Jabalpur and Umaria in Madhya Pradesh, expressed heartfelt anguish and concern over the progress of the case.

Grieving Family Questions Progress of Justice

In Birsinghpur Pali town of Umaria district, the atmosphere remains sombre at the ancestral home of Aneesh Awadhiya. His mother, Savita Awadhiya, continues to hold on to memories of her son, including a framed photograph that now occupies a central place in the household.

She recalled how Aneesh was preparing to shift to Dubai for work and was making progress in his career. “People had even started bringing marriage proposals. We called him Laki because he brought good fortune to the family,” she said tearfully.

Savita shared her pain over the accused receiving bail, saying it has weakened their hope for justice. “He was different from other boys, always in touch with me, calling throughout the day. After the accident, everything ended for us,” she said.

Father Raises Concern Over Influence and Resources of Accused

Aneesh’s father, Om Awadhiya, raised concerns about the influence and resources of the accused. He stated that the accused made various efforts to dilute the case and alleged that local leaders supported them. “Had the police and court not acted, the case would have been wrapped up as just another accident,” he said.

He noted that when the High Court had earlier denied bail, the accused approached the Supreme Court, where they eventually received relief. “We have waited for 20 months. Our son is gone, and only we know how we’re surviving each day,” Om Awadhiya added.

Accident Details: Overspeeding Allegedly Led to Fatal Collision

On the night of the accident, the minor driver had reportedly been celebrating with friends after completing Class 12. Around 2:15 am, while returning from a pub, the Porsche—allegedly driven at nearly 200 km/hour—collided with the motorcycle.

Eyewitnesses stated that Ashwini was thrown several feet away by the impact, while Aneesh hit a nearby parked vehicle. The police reached the scene within 15 minutes. Locals managed to catch two of the boys in the car; one fled during the commotion.

Police also confirmed that the car lacked a number plate and that the airbags deployed upon impact, which prevented the vehicle from being driven further.

Juvenile Accused Initially Granted Bail with Conditions

The minor involved in the fatal crash was initially granted bail by the Juvenile Justice Board with seven conditions, including writing a 300-word essay on road accidents. However, following public outcry and a plea from the police, the decision was amended, and the boy was sent to a juvenile correctional home on 22 May 2024.

Later, on 25 June 2024, the Bombay High Court granted him bail.

As the legal proceedings continue, the families of the victims await further developments, placing their trust in the judicial system.

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