Maharashtra Government Dismisses Juvenile Justice Board Members
The Maharashtra Government has removed two members of the Juvenile Justice Board in Pune due to “misuse of power,” as announced by the State Commissioner for Women and Child Development. This decision follows an investigation into the bail conditions set for a 17-year-old involved in a fatal car crash on May 19, 2024. The crash, involving a Porsche driven by the minor allegedly under the influence of alcohol, resulted in the deaths of Anish Awadhiya and Ashwini Koshta.
The controversial bail conditions included writing a 300-word essay on road safety. The government inquiry found the board members guilty of misusing their powers under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children Act, 2015), leading to their dismissal.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage due to the perceived leniency and potential political influence in the case. The minor driver was reportedly served alcohol at a restaurant despite being underage. The Pune crime branch has registered a case against the minor’s parents and others for allegedly tampering with evidence. Additional charges of evidence destruction have been added against the juvenile accused.
The case remains ongoing before the Juvenile Justice Board, with the accused initially charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
Doubts Revealed
Maharashtra Government -: The Maharashtra Government is the governing body of the state of Maharashtra in India. It is responsible for making and enforcing laws in the state.
Juvenile Justice Board -: The Juvenile Justice Board is a legal body in India that deals with cases involving minors, who are individuals under the age of 18. It ensures that children in conflict with the law are treated fairly and given a chance for rehabilitation.
Porsche -: Porsche is a brand of luxury sports cars. In this context, it refers to the type of car involved in the crash.
Bail -: Bail is a legal term where a person accused of a crime is allowed to be free until their trial, usually by paying money or agreeing to certain conditions.
Essay on road safety -: An essay on road safety is a written piece where someone discusses the importance of following traffic rules and being careful on the roads to prevent accidents.
Political influence -: Political influence refers to the power that politicians or political parties might have to affect decisions or actions, sometimes leading to unfair advantages or outcomes.
Evidence tampering -: Evidence tampering means illegally changing or hiding evidence related to a crime, which can affect the investigation and outcome of a case.