Two police officers previously suspended for negligence in investigating the May 2024 Pune Porsche crash have now been dismissed from service for serious procedural lapses.
Officers Dismissed for Mishandling High-Profile Crash Probe
The Pune Police have dismissed two officers — Inspector Rahul Jagdale and Assistant Police Inspector (API) Vishwanath Todkari — who were earlier suspended for their handling of the Pune Porsche crash case that claimed the lives of two IT professionals in May 2024.
Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar confirmed on Wednesday that both officers, attached to the Yerawada police station, were found guilty of dereliction of duty and delayed reporting. A formal proposal to terminate their service had been sent to the Maharashtra Home Department in March 2025 and was approved recently.
Fatal Porsche Crash in Kalyani Nagar
The case stems from a Porsche car accident that occurred in the early hours of May 19, 2024, in Pune’s Kalyani Nagar area. The vehicle, allegedly driven by a 17-year-old boy in an intoxicated state, rammed into a motorcycle, killing two tech professionals on the spot.
The incident triggered widespread outrage across Maharashtra and the country, leading to scrutiny of the police investigation and allegations of preferential treatment extended to the juvenile driver due to his influential family background.
Inquiry Found Delays and Evidence Tampering
According to officials, an internal police inquiry found severe lapses during the registration and investigation of the case. Investigators delayed the collection of blood samples from the accused, which were reportedly taken only at 11 a.m., several hours after the crash.
Further revelations suggested that the boy’s blood samples were replaced with those of his mother, allegedly to falsify evidence and conceal intoxication levels at the time of the accident.
The internal report concluded that such negligence and collusion had compromised the integrity of the investigation, prompting disciplinary action against the officers involved.
Multiple Arrests in Blood Sample Tampering Case
In addition to the two dismissed officers, nine individuals have been arrested in connection with the alleged tampering of blood samples. Those in custody include the juvenile’s father, Sassoon Hospital doctors Ajay Tawre and Shreehari Halnor, hospital staffer Atul Ghatkamble, two intermediaries, and three others identified as Aditya Avinash Sood, Ashish Mittal, and Arun Kumar Singh.
The teenager, who was initially placed in an observation home, has since been released, while his mother — also accused in the evidence manipulation — is currently out on bail.
Police Crackdown and Administrative Action
Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar stated that the dismissal of Jagdale and Todkari was part of a broader effort to “uphold accountability and restore public trust” in the police force.
“The department will not tolerate negligence or misconduct in sensitive cases that involve loss of life and public outrage,” he said. He added that the department continues to coordinate with judicial authorities to ensure a fair trial for all accused in the case.
