The death of two youths by a reckless minor driver highlights the urgent need for judicial reform and stricter road safety measures.

The tragic incident in Pune, where an irresponsible youth driving a Porsche under the influence of alcohol mowed down two young lives, has highlighted the severe deficiencies in India's criminal justice system. If criminal trials were concluded within a year and appeals within another year, parents would hesitate to hand over car keys to minors, and bartenders would be more cautious in serving alcohol to them.

As the nation mourns the loss of Aneesh Awadhiya and Ashwini Koshta, we are confronted with the reality of a broken justice system. The Juvenile Justice Board's lenient handling of the offender raises questions about our approach to irresponsible driving, road safety, and accidents. The case draws parallels to the 2002 accident involving film actor Salman Khan, which took 13 years to reach a verdict, resulting in the accused being acquitted. This delay in delivering justice emboldens individuals to flout the law, as seen in the recent Pune incident.

 Long delays in trials lead to a lack of respect for the law. If criminal trials were expedited, there would be greater adherence to legal norms. However, the current situation is dismal. According to the National Crime Records Bureau's 'Crime in India (2022)' report, over 90% of cases involving deaths due to negligent driving and hit-and-run incidents are pending in courts, with a conviction rate of just 30% in metropolitan areas. This figure is only marginally better in other parts of the country. The delay in trials often results in the police being unable to trace witnesses, and citizens failing to recall events accurately, damaging the prosecution's case. The slow judicial process allows many criminals to escape justice. The lack of investment in judicial infrastructure by state and central governments exacerbates this issue.

 In December 2023, Parliament was informed that India has only 21 judicial officers per million people, compared to the Law Commission's 1987 recommendation of 50 judges per million. Similarly, the police-to-population ratio stands at 152 per lakh citizens, against an international norm of 222 per lakh. The Bureau of Police Research and Development's 'Data on Police Organisation as of January 1, 2022,' highlights around four lakh vacancies in police personnel. Despite these deficiencies, state police organizations manage to dispose of criminal cases relatively quickly, though there is much room for improvement in quality.

 The 'Crime In India 2022' report indicates that 75% of cases involving deaths in road accidents due to rash and negligent acts and 65% of hit-and-run cases were charge-sheeted by police within a year. Enhancing the number of investigating officers and prosecutors, along with their training in technology use and equipping forensic laboratories, will improve detection rates, investigation quality, and conviction rates. The Pune case also brings the juvenile justice system under scrutiny. The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, permits children aged 16-18 accused of heinous crimes to be tried as adults. However, in this case, the Board reportedly released the accused with minimal consequences, which seems inadequate given the severity of the offense. The Maharashtra government's decision to try the Porsche driver as an adult is a step in the right direction.

 This tragic incident has sparked a much-needed discussion on road safety and responsible driving, similar to the outrage following the December 2012 rape case. It is hoped that this will lead to greater accountability among citizens regarding traffic rules and parental responsibility. The memory of Aneesh Awadhiya and Ashwini Koshta should serve as a catalyst for reform, ensuring that the criminal case is resolved swiftly and justice is served.

 The path to justice for the victims in Pune must be pursued with urgency and diligence, to honor their memory and bring about meaningful change in the criminal justice system.