Pune Porsche Crash: ₹3 Lakh Bribe for Blood Sample Swap – Peon Arrested

News-Update: Pune Porsche Crash
Date: May 28, 2024
By: CodeWithIndia News Desk | Ankit Shukla

In a shocking turn of events, the Pune Police have arrested a peon from Sassoon General Hospital in connection with the infamous Pune Porsche crash case. This arrest is part of an ongoing investigation into the manipulation of blood samples of a teenage driver involved in a deadly car accident.

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Key Updates

• Peon Arrested: Atul Ghatkamble, a peon at Sassoon General Hospital, was arrested for allegedly receiving a ₹3 lakh bribe intended for two senior doctors to tamper with blood samples.
• Doctors Involved: Dr. Ajay Taware, head of the hospital’s forensic medicine department, and Dr. Shrihari Halnor, the chief medical officer, were also arrested for their involvement in the manipulation.
• Court Proceedings: All three accused were remanded in police custody until May 30 by the court.

The Incident

On May 19, two young IT professionals were tragically killed when their motorcycle was hit by a speeding Porsche in Pune’s Kalyani Nagar area. The car was allegedly driven by a 17-year-old who was reportedly intoxicated at the time of the accident.

The Cover-Up

How It Unfolded

• Bribe Exchange: The peon allegedly collected ₹3 lakh, which was used to bribe the doctors to swap the blood samples of the teenage driver with those of another individual showing no traces of alcohol.
• Evidence Tampering: The original blood samples were discarded, and the replacement samples were provided to the authorities.

Investigation and Arrests

• Police Action: The Pune Police Crime Branch recovered the ₹3 lakh cash and arrested the involved hospital staff.
• Prosecutor’s Statement: The prosecution revealed that the teen’s father, Vishal Agarwal, a realtor, had made calls to Dr. Taware, urging him to manipulate the samples.

Legal Developments

• Charges Filed: The police have added several sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 201 (causing disappearance of evidence), 120-B (criminal conspiracy), 467 (forgery), 213 (taking a bribe to screen an offender), and 214 (offering bribe to screen an offender).
• Further Investigations: Police are examining CCTV footage from Sassoon General Hospital to trace all individuals involved in the foul play.

Public Outrage and Legal Responses

Public Reaction

The case has sparked widespread outrage, particularly regarding the lenient initial treatment of the juvenile driver, who was briefly granted bail and asked to write a 300-word essay on road accidents. This decision was later overturned, and the teen was sent to an observation home until June 5.

Media Coverage

• CCTV Evidence: Reports have surfaced showing the teen drinking with friends at a bar before the accident, contradicting the initial negative alcohol test results.
• Company Involvement: A team from Porsche visited the Yerwada police station to conduct a technical inspection of the car involved in the crash.

Conclusion

The Pune Porsche crash case has highlighted serious ethical breaches within the medical community and the lengths to which individuals might go to protect their interests. The ongoing investigation by Pune Police aims to uncover the full extent of the corruption and ensure justice for the victims of this tragic accident.