The Supreme Court has issued notice on the bail plea of Pune-based businessman Vishal Agarwal, the father of the minor who allegedly drove the Porsche involved in a fatal accident on May 19, 2024, claiming two lives. Justices B.V. Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan have asked for a response from Maharashtra and scheduled further hearings for March 3. Agarwal, accused of conspiring to swap blood samples to obtain a “Nil Alcohol” report for the minor and others in the car, has been in custody for about 21 months.
Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing Agarwal, requested interim bail, but the Bench led by Justice Nagarathna declined to grant relief at this stage. The case stems from a high-profile incident in Pune’s Kalyaninagar, where a 17-year-old allegedly driving under the influence crashed a Porsche into a motorcycle, resulting in the deaths of two IT professionals. Prosecutors claim the minor consumed alcohol before the accident, with allegations of blood sample swapping to hide the consumption.
In December 2025, the Bombay High Court denied bail to several accused, including Agarwal, citing a strong prima facie case of a conspiracy to manipulate medical evidence. The court highlighted the accused’s actions post-accident, coordinating with hospital staff to replace blood samples and falsify medical records. The High Court emphasized the severity of tampering with evidence and forging documents, offenses punishable by life imprisonment under Section 467 IPC.
Acknowledging the importance of preserving evidence, the Bombay High Court emphasized the risk of witness tampering and evidence compromise if the accused were released. It underscored that manipulating evidence undermines criminal justice and hinders justice for victims. Recently, the apex court granted bail to three co-accused involved in the blood sample swapping, considering their nearly 20-month incarceration, subject to trial court conditions.
