The Pune Porsche crash case has taken a new turn. Police sources have disclosed that the doctor implicated in switching the accused’s blood samples has provided similar services to others through a network of brokers.
Dr. Ajay Tawade, head of Sassoon Hospital’s Forensic Medical Department, was arrested in connection with the case and is currently in judicial custody. He is accused of swapping the minor’s blood samples with those of his mother to ensure the final report showed no alcohol presence.
The Pune Crime Branch, in its investigation, revealed that this was not the first time Dr. Tawade had engaged in such activities. The NDTV cited sources saying in high-profile cases of drunk driving incidents resulting in fatalities, brokers working for the doctor approached families, offering to exchange blood samples for a substantial fee to mitigate charges.
“The brokers would demand lakhs for the service, usually above Rs 5 lakh, and the money would be funnelled to Dr. Tawade, with them keeping a cut,” a source said. This operation allegedly began when Dr. Tawade took charge of the forensic department nearly two years ago.
Dr. Tawade’s history includes serious allegations, such as involvement in drug cases and a kidney transplant racket. His elevation to the head of the forensic department was reportedly facilitated by recommendations from an MLA and a minister.
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Last month, Vinayak Kale, the dean of Sassoon Hospital, claimed that Maharashtra Medical Education Minister Hasan Mushrif and MLA Sunil Tingre, both from the Ajit Pawar faction of the NCP, had written a letter advocating for Dr. Tawade’s appointment. Kale was subsequently placed on compulsory leave.
Additionally, MLA Tingre faced accusations of visiting the Yerwada police station following the Porsche crash to pressure officials to handle the case leniently.
The tragic accident occurred around 2.15 am on May 19. The 17-year-old had been celebrating his Class 12 results with friends at two pubs in Pune before he drove a Rs 2.5-crore Porsche at over 150 kmph, crashing into two 24-year-old IT professionals in the Kalyani Nagar area.
Aneesh Awadhiya, riding the bike, was hurled into a parked car, while Ashwini Koshta, the pillion rider, was thrown 20 feet into the air. Both died instantly.
At 17 years and 8 months old, the teenager was four months short of the legal driving age and over seven years below Maharashtra’s legal drinking age.
