Pune: Aneesh Awadhiya’s parents returned to the city on Thursday, two years after their son was killed in the May 2024 Porsche crash, demanding changes to juvenile justice laws to ensure minors aged 16 and above accused of heinous crimes face a stricter legal process.Om and Savita Awadhiya said the age of an accused should not become a shield in serious offences. They urged Centre and state govt to consider the nature of the crime, circumstances of the case and the accused’s mental maturity while determining how juveniles were prosecuted.“Today, even 16-year-olds drive expensive vehicles and, in some cases, innocent people lose their lives. Yet accused minors are later released. Children mature much earlier now. Access to money and luxury vehicles can create a sense that they are beyond the law,” Om said, adding that the fear of law must remain intact in society.The family clarified that it was not seeking to deprive juveniles of legal protection, but to prevent misuse of provisions meant for children in cases involving grave crimes. “There are recent cases, including those from Nanded and Delhi, where minors have been booked for serious offences like murder. This shows that the fear of law is receding and steps are needed to prevent this,” Om said, stressing that govt must make changes in the existing law to reduce the age while considering the accused minor.Aneesh and Ashwini Koshta, both IT professionals, were killed in May 2024 after a Porsche allegedly driven by a minor crashed into their two-wheeler in Kalyaninagar. The case triggered nationwide outrage after allegations emerged that the then MLA had initially rushed to assist the accused minor’s developer father, while attempts were allegedly made to manipulate the blood samples and destroy evidence, purportedly using the developer’s influence to protect his son.The Awadhiyas thanked Pune residents and police for standing by them after the crash. “I came to Pune only to thank public and police for the support we received while pursuing this case. People came out in large numbers to support our demand for justice when the incident occurred,” Om said.The family also called for a fair and transparent trial. They were accompanied by Congress office bearer Akshay Jain during the visit.
