The Maharashtra government has terminated the appointments of 2 members of the Juvenile Justice Board following their involvement in granting bail to a juvenile accused in the Pune Porsche crash case.
An investigation by the state’s Women and Child Development Department recommended action against the two members, L. N. Danwade and Kavita Thorat, citing “procedural lapses, misconduct, and non-compliance with norms.” WCD Commissioner Prashant Narnavare stated, “I submitted the probe panel’s report to the state government, suggesting the termination of both members.”
The report, which led to the government’s decision, highlighted that Danwade and Thorat had misused their powers under the Juvenile Justice Act. An official notification dated October 8 confirmed the terminations, stating that the members were found guilty of misconduct.
The case gained national attention when, on May 19, two IT professionals were killed in Pune’s Kalyani Nagar after their motorcycle was struck by a speeding Porsche driven by a 17-year-old boy, reportedly under the influence of alcohol. The JJB’s decision to grant bail to the accused who is the son of a builder—on lenient terms, including a requirement to write a 300-word essay on road safety, sparked outrage.
In response to the public outcry, the WCD Department established a committee to investigate the actions of the JJB members regarding the bail decision. The committee’s report identified significant procedural violations and recommended disciplinary action.
It included statements from both Danwade and Thorat, who were issued show-cause notices regarding their conduct.
However, their replies were deemed unsatisfactory, prompting Narnavare to recommend disciplinary measures to the state government. The swift action underscores the government’s commitment to upholding the integrity of the Juvenile Justice system in the wake of this high-profile case.
