Supreme Court Grants Bail to Accused in Pune Porsche Crash Blood Sample Tampering Case
The Supreme Court of India on Wednesday granted bail to Ashpak Makandar, one of the individuals accused in the high-profile blood sample tampering case linked to the tragic 2024 Pune Porsche crash that resulted in the deaths of two young software engineers. A Bench comprising Justices BV Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan approved the bail plea on the grounds of parity, noting that co-accused facing similar allegations had already been granted bail, as reported by legal news portal Bar and Bench.
Court Hearing and Bail Decision
During the hearing, the Court inquired about the duration of Makandar's custody. Senior Advocate Siddharth Agarwal, representing Makandar, informed the Bench that his client had spent 20 months in jail. In response, the Court stated, "We will grant bail on the ground of parity. Leave granted." The Bench directed that Makandar be released on bail under the terms of its earlier order in SLP (Crl.) No. 1270 of 2026, which was issued in the case of co-accused Amar Santosh Gaikwad, who was also implicated as a middleman in the alleged conspiracy.
Background of the Pune Porsche Crash Case
The case originates from a fatal accident that occurred around 2:30 am on May 19, 2024, in Pune's Kalyani Nagar area. A Porsche car, allegedly driven by a juvenile in an inebriated state, collided with a motorcycle, killing Aneesh Awadhiya (24) and Ashwini Koshta (24), both software engineers from Madhya Pradesh. According to prosecution claims, the juvenile's father, businessman Vishal Agarwal, along with his wife and associates, conspired with doctors and staff at Sassoon General Hospital to manipulate blood test reports.
Investigators alleged that blood samples were swapped to eliminate evidence of alcohol consumption, and that Rs 3 lakh was paid to hospital staff through intermediaries. Makandar was among those accused of acting as a middleman in facilitating the alleged tampering, which has drawn significant public and legal scrutiny.
Recent Bail Developments in the Case
Earlier this month, the Supreme Court granted bail to three other accused individuals—Ashish Mittal, Amar Santosh Gaikwad, and Aditya Sood—noting that they had spent approximately 18 months in jail. The Court observed that continued incarceration would cause undue prejudice, while cautioning that any breach of bail conditions imposed by the trial court could lead to cancellation of bail. This series of bail grants highlights the judiciary's approach to balancing legal rights with the gravity of the allegations in this complex case.
The Supreme Court's decision to grant bail to Ashpak Makandar underscores the principle of parity in judicial proceedings, ensuring that individuals facing similar charges are treated equitably under the law. As the legal process continues, this case remains a focal point for discussions on justice, accountability, and the integrity of forensic evidence in high-stakes criminal investigations.
