Protestors From Pune Demand Justice for Ashwini and Aneesh: St. Broseph Foundation Submits Memorandum to Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis

On 28 May, a delegation of protestors visited Mantralaya, Mumbai, to personally submit their demands to Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in his office.

29 May 2024

By Ishika Kumar

Following a protest on 26 May which was held outside the PMC Bhavan, Pune, to demand justice for Ashwini and Aneesh, a contingent team and protestors from the St. Broseph Foundation visited the office of the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Devendra Fadnavis, and delivered a memorandum of demands. The document, endorsed by over 200 and more protestors, seeks strict legal action and support for the victims’ families.

Incident Overview

The tragic incident involving Ashwini and Aneesh, which occurred earlier this month, has sparked significant public outcry. The duo lost their lives in a gruesome drunk-driving accident, leaving their families devastated and the community demanding justice. 

Social worker Dushyant Dubey of the St. Broseph Foundation spearheaded a protest on 26th May, drawing attention to the need for stringent legal measures against the accused and support for the victims’ families.

The Protest and Subsequent Actions

On the day of the protest, a large crowd gathered outside PMC Bhavan in Pune, holding placards and chanting slogans for justice. The protest highlighted the negligence involved in drunk driving cases and called for more deadlocked legal frameworks to prevent such incidents from happening time and again. 

Following this, on 28 May, a delegation of protestors visited Mantralaya, Mumbai, to personally submit their demands to Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in his office.

The Memorandum of Demands

The memorandum submitted contains five key demands aimed at ensuring justice and providing support to the affected families:

1.     Charge Under Section 304: The memorandum insists that the accused should be charged under Section 304 (Culpable Homicide Not Amounting to Murder). It emphasises the need for a comprehensive and watertight case to be built to ensure a strong prosecution, with no loopholes to escape from.

2.     Trial as an Adult: Given the severity of the incident, the memorandum calls for the accused to be tried as an adult, despite any juvenile status. This request leverages exceptions provided in the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015, to ensure the gravity of the crime is adequately addressed.

3.     Witness Protection: To safeguard the integrity of the case, the memorandum demands the implementation of the Witness Protection Scheme, 2018. This measure is crucial to protect all witnesses from any potential threats or coercion, and smooth delivery of justice, as it should be.

4.     Appointment of a Top-Tier Public Prosecutor: Recognising the influence and resources that might be available to the accused, the memorandum calls for the appointment of a highly experienced Public Prosecutor with a background in social justice causes. This will ensure that the case is argued effectively, and the victims’ interests are thoroughly represented without being strong-armed by the affluent accused.

5.     State Compensation for Victims’ Families: Lastly, the memorandum seeks financial compensation from the state government for the families of the deceased and those injured in the incident. This demand requires immediate and tangible support to help the families cope with their loss and the ensuing financial burdens upon them.

Response from the Deputy Chief Minister’s Office

Due to prior commitments, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was not present to receive the memorandum personally. However, his Personal Secretary, Shri Vidyadhar Mahale, accepted the document on his behalf. 

Shri Mahale assured the delegation that the Deputy Chief Minister and the Government of Maharashtra would take all necessary actions to ensure justice for Ashwini and Aneesh.

Continuing Advocacy

The St. Broseph Foundation, particularly its Pune chapter, has pledged to persist in raising awareness about this case. The foundation plans to support the families of Ashwini and Aneesh through various initiatives, including public campaigns and legal assistance, until the culprit is convicted, and justice is served. 

This commitment highlights the ongoing struggle for justice and the foundation’s role in advocating for stricter legal measures to prevent similar incidents in the future and a call for action along with the participation of citizens and community members.

The submission of the memorandum to Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis marks a significant step in the fight for justice for Ashwini and Aneesh. The demands outlined in the memorandum reflect a holistic approach to addressing the legal, social and financial aspects of this tragic incident, which is much needed in a time of distress for the people of society where the accused is trying very hard to evade punishment as much as possible.

As the government reviews these demands, the collective voice of the protestors, led by the St. Broseph Foundation, continues to echo the need for accountability, action, fair punishment of the accused and support for the victims’ families.