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In a tragic incident that has sparked widespread outrage, 17 year old Vedant Agarwal, who lacked a driver’s license, was involved in a fatal accident in Pune on May 19, 2024, at around 3 a.m. Driving a Porsche Taycan worth Rs 1.5 crore, Vedant was reportedly under the influence of alcohol and speeding when he collided with a two-wheeler. The victims, Aneesh Awadhia (24) and Ashwini Koshta (25), were thrown from their vehicle upon impact, Ashwini died on the spot and Aneesh succumbed to his injuries en route to the hospital. Vedant, however escaped unhurt, and eyewitnesses detained him, alerting the police.
The aftermath of the accident has been controversial. Vedant was granted bail just 15 hours after the incident, prompting criticism and allegations of leniency due to his family’s financial and political influence. Reports surfaced claiming that Vedant was treated with undue privileges at the police station, including being served pizza and biryani. But the Pune commissioner denied the claim. Photos from the incident went viral, further fueling public outrage.
Opposition parties alleged that Ajit Pawar led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLA Sunil Dingre intervened on Vedant’s behalf, raising questions about the influence of wealth and power in the justice system. Many wondered if the same leniency would have been extended if the vehicle involved had been a more modest Maruti Swift.
In a shocking twist, the court asked Vedant to write an essay of no more than 300 words on “Road Accidents and their Remedies”, A decision met with skepticism and anger. This case has highlighted disparities in justice, where individuals with social or economic clout often evade the full consequences of their actions. Critics, including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, pointed out that if a bus or Uber driver accidentally kills someone, they would likely face ten years in jail, while a wealthy individual in a luxury car receives an essay assignment.
Vedant was produced before a special juvenile court on May 20, 2024. His immediate bail was later revoked, and he was placed in a juvenile camp. Allegations emerged that some police officers acted in his favor, attempting to tamper with evidence. Two police officers from the Yerwada police station were suspended for their failures at the accident scene.
The case took an even darker turn when the driver initially accused of the crime claimed he was threatened and bribed by Vedant’s father and grandfather to take the blame. Surendra Agarwal, Vedant’s grandfather who is associated with notorious underworld Don Chhota Rajan was arrested on May 25. This revelation underscored the lengths to which the Agarwal family might go to protect their son.
Further controversy erupted when it was discovered that two doctors attempted to manipulate Vedant’s blood test results. Fortunately, police had taken blood samples from two different places, exposing the tampering. One doctor was allegedly paid Rs 3 lakh to alter the sample, While Vedant’s mother Shivani Agarwal reportedly tried to substitute her son’s blood sample with her own, bribing a hospital employee in the process.
Relatives of the victims have been vocal in their quest for justice, demanding that the trial be moved to Madhya Pradesh and monitored by the Supreme Court. They argue that the justice system must be equitable for all, regardless of wealth. The incident has reignited discussions on the need for accountability within India’s judicial system, where wealth and influence often shield the privileged from the law.
The Agarwal family’s efforts to protect Vedant have drawn significant public scrutiny. His father, Vishal Agarwal, faced arrest for allegedly providing his son with a luxury car despite knowing he was unlicensed and for attempting to tamper with evidence. The Agarwals have a considerable fortune, with assets exceeding Rs 600 crore, which they have reportedly used to influence the situation.
The case has seen numerous allegations of bribery and manipulation at various levels. Police officers, doctors, and even family members have been implicated in attempts to distort the truth. As the public outcry grows, the parallels drawn with films like ‘Jolly LLB (2013)’ and its Tamil remake ‘Manithan (2016)’ serve as reminders of how rich individuals can manipulate the system to evade justice.
The family desperately attempted to save their pet child. They resorted to various measures, including falsifying blood samples, accusing the driver, and bribing government officials. Along with this, money has been poured into various departments of the government, including the Medical, Police, and an MLA to bargain with the police . If the boy who comes out after this all will be afraid of society and crimes? Offences which are allowed, opens the doors for another offence.
These pieces are being published as they have been received – they have not been edited/fact-checked by ThePrint.