The Supreme Court on Monday granted bail to three persons accused of helping to tamper with blood samples after the Pune Porsche crash in May 2024, which killed two young software engineers.
The SC Bench granted bail to Aditya Sood, Ashish Mittal and Santosh Gaikwad after noting that they had been in jail for 18 months.
Ashish Mittal is a friend of the father of the main accused. Aditya Sood is the father of the boy who was sitting in the backseat of the car. Santosh Gaikwad is a middleman who allegedly received Rs 3 lakh for tampering with the blood work.
In its order, the Court said, “Since there is no allegation against juvenile at the backseat of car, it is unlikely that there can be allegation against them. Since allegations were made, they are in jail since 18 months. It was submitted that even as against the driver who caused the accident the punishment is of three years. The juvenile is also being tried before the Juvenile Justice Board. Thus their continued incarceration will greatly prejudice and thus it was contended that bail be granted to the three appellants. Petitions allowed. Let them be produced before the concerned trial court. Let them be released on bail subject to the conditions imposed by the trial court."
The Bench made it clear that any infraction of the conditions would lead to cancellation of the bail.
The Bombay High Court had denied bail to the three accused in December last year.
The High Court had observed that granting bail to financially well-placed accused in the case could risk witness tampering and obstruct justice.
