New CCTV footage reveals bribery by hospital staff in Pune Porsche accident blood sample swap

New CCTV footage has emerged in the Pune Porsche crash case, showing a staff member from Pune's Sassoon General Hospital allegedly receiving a bribe. The footage, recorded in the Yerwada area, captures Ashpak Makandar handing over a ₹3 lakh bribe to hospital employee Atul Ghatkamble. This bribe was allegedly part of a conspiracy to swap the blood samples of a 17-year-old boy involved in a fatal car crash.

Incident details

The accident happened on May 19 in Pune's Kalyani Nagar area. The teenager, driving a Porsche at 160 kmph, collided with a motorcycle, killing two young software engineers, Anis Awadhiya and Ashwini Costa. The boy, son of a well-known builder, was reportedly celebrating his Class 12 results with friends. They had been drinking and driving around the city that night.

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After the crash, the teenager's blood sample was taken at Sassoon General Hospital. When police suspected the sample had been tampered with, a new sample was taken at Aundh Government Hospital. DNA testing confirmed the original sample was manipulated. 

In connection with the tampering, the police have arrested Atul Ghatkamble, along with Dr. Ajay Taware, the hospital’s suspended forensics department head, and former casualty medical officer Dr. Shrihari Halnor. The police have also arrested the teenager’s parents for their involvement in the sample swapping.

Multiple cases registered

The police have filed three separate cases. The first is related to the accident itself. The second case involves a pub that served alcohol to the underage driver, and his father for letting him drive without a valid license. The third case concerns the wrongful confinement and coercion of the family driver to take the blame for the accident. In this case, the accused's grandfather has been arrested.

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The Juvenile Justice Board has extended the teenager’s remand in an observation home until June 25. According to the police, releasing him now could hinder the ongoing investigation.