Docs swapped blood samples of 2 friends of the minor to prevent detection of alcohol: Chargesheet

On July 26, Pune city police filed the chargesheet in the Porsche car accident case against seven accused persons, including the parents of the minor boy.

The case

On May 19, 2024, at around 2:30 a.m., IT engineers Aneesh Awadhiya and Ashwini Koshta, both 24 and from Madhya Pradesh, were tragically killed when their motorcycle was struck by a speeding Porsche driven by a 17-year-old boy who was intoxicated. The accident occurred at the Kalyani Nagar junction in Pune. An FIR was filed against the minor driver at the Yerwada police station, citing multiple charges under the Indian Penal Code and the Motor Vehicle Act.

Docs arrested

The investigation led to the arrest of seven individuals, including the minor’s parents—Dr. Ajay Taware and Dr. Shrihari Harnol—along with Atul Ghatkamble, Ashpak Makandar, and Amar Gaikwad.

In the 900 page chargesheet, the investigation team has said that accused Dr Halnor had swapped the blood samples of two friends of the minor who were present in the car during the accident with that of others to prevent detection of alcohol in their bloodstream.

“The swapping was done on Dr Taware’s order, with the help of a female junior doctor. At this time, some policemen were even present in CMO’s office,” claims the chargesheet. The chargesheet comprises statements of around 50 witnesses, FSL reports and other investigation papers.

Evidence

The police could confirm the ‘swapping of blood’ charge as they had taken a second blood sample of the minor, which was sent to another government-run hospital in Aundh for DNA sampling. The earlier blood sample did not match the minor’s, while his second sample matched. A subsequent DNA analysis revealed that the original sample belonged to the minor’s mother. The evidence collected by the police in this regard is a part of the chargesheet, said police sources.