Overview

• The Bombay High Court has issued a notice to the Maharashtra government on petitions by two sacked Juvenile Justice Board members, L N Danavade and Kavita Thorat, challenging their dismissal.
• The two members were removed in October 2024 after a Women and Child Development Department probe found misconduct in granting lenient bail to a juvenile accused in a fatal Porsche crash in Pune.
• The juvenile, initially granted bail under controversial terms, was later sent to an observation home before being released by the High Court in June 2024.
• Kavita Thorat contends in her petition that her dismissal violated principles of natural justice, as she was not provided a copy of the inquiry report following her response to a show-cause notice.
• Ten others, including the juvenile’s parents and medical personnel, remain in custody over allegations of tampering with the minor’s blood samples to influence the investigation.