The Maharashtra unit of the Congress has raised allegations against the son of a state MLA, linking him to the fatal Porsche crash in Pune that claimed two lives. Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole, addressing the media, accused the legislator of leveraging his influence to suppress the incident. He called for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the matter and demanded the resignation of Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
The tragic incident occurred on May 19 when a Porsche, reportedly driven by a 17-year-old under the influence, struck and killed two IT professionals in Pune's Kalyani Nagar area. Outrage ensued when the Juvenile Justice Board initially granted bail to the teenager, ordering him to pen an essay on road accidents. However, this decision was later reversed, and the minor was remanded to an observation home until June 5.
Patole alleged political interference in the case to shield the affluent accused, accusing Fadnavis of leveraging his legal expertise for their benefit. He called for transparency from Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and questioned Fadnavis's role, suggesting he resign from his post.
Additionally, Patole criticized Sassoon General Hospital, likening it to a "five-star hotel for criminals." He lamented the rise in incidents of drunken driving and drug abuse amid severe drought conditions in the state.
Highlighting similar incidents in Nagpur and Jalgaon, Patole claimed a pattern of privileged treatment for the accused. He accused the BJP of fostering an illegal drug trade, alleging the importation of narcotics from Gujarat into Maharashtra, which he claimed had led to the proliferation of illegal pubs and drug-related crimes.
Patole's statements underscored the party's concerns regarding governance issues, law enforcement, and the influence of privilege in the state's judicial system.