The Maharashtra Government has dismissed two members of the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) in Pune in connection with the bail granted to a juvenile accused in the high-profile Pune Porsche crash case. The termination of L.N. Danwade and Kavita Thorat was recommended by a probe panel from the State Women and Child Development (WCD) Department due to “procedural lapses, misconduct, and non-compliance with norms,” officials announced on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
According to WCD Commissioner Prashant Narnavare, the panel’s findings were submitted to the State Government in July, urging the removal of both JJB members. The report highlighted how the duo had misused their powers under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act-2015. A government notification, dated October 8, confirmed their dismissal after they were found guilty.
The case gained national attention after a 17-year-old boy, allegedly intoxicated, caused the deaths of two IT professionals in Pune’s Kalyani Nagar on May 19, 2024. Despite the severity of the case, then JJB member Danwade granted the accused bail on lenient terms, sparking outrage.
Following this, the WCD Department launched an inquiry into the conduct of the JJB members. The investigation revealed multiple violations of legal procedures, leading to a show-cause notice being issued to the members. However, their responses were deemed unsatisfactory, prompting the government to take disciplinary action.
