Overview

• Section 173(8) of the Criminal Procedure Code has allowed prosecutors to introduce new documents detailing the second attempted sample swap.
• The court is set to formally frame charges against ten accused, including the driver’s parents, two Sassoon Hospital doctors, and intermediaries.
• Investigators previously determined that blood taken at Sassoon Hospital was replaced with the minor’s mother’s sample to hide his alleged intoxication.
• Arrests span forensic head Dr. Ajay Taware, Medical Officer Shreehari Halnor, staffer Atul Ghatkamble, and middlemen Ashpak Makandar and Amar Gaikwad.
• The case has spotlighted weaknesses in forensic chain-of-custody and raised ethical and procedural questions in juvenile justice and medical practice.