Trail of Documents Show Ajit Pawar's Close Aide Hasan Mushrif's Role in Pune Porsche Car Crash

Pune: Republic, in its mega expose of the Pune Porsche Car Crash, has turned up the political heat by bringing out details of the alleged political links that have unfolded in the case. The car crash has stirred a major political controversy due to the accused teenager's proximity to prominent political and business connections.

Republic Exposes Political Angle

Head of Sassoon General Hospital's Forensic Medicine Department, arrested by Pune Police for allegedly swapping the blood sample of the 17-year-old accused in the car crash, Dr Ajay Taware claimed that he received a call from a 'top politician.'

Taware, earlier in the day, vowed to expose everyone involved in the case. A recording of the 'primary source' is in possession of Republic, who claimed that NCP MLA Sunil Tingre, a close aide of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Anji Pawar, was present inside the police station after the crash occurred. 

Following the arrest of Dr Taware in the case, a 2023 letter from NCP MLA Sunil Tingre has surfaced, in which he recommended the doctor be given an additional charge of medical superintendent.

'Won't Stay Quiet,' Warns Dr Taware

Following his arrest, Dr Taware vowed to expose all involved in the case. He said, "I will not stay mum, will reveal everyone’s name."

Besides Dr Taware, the Pune Police also arrested Dr Shrihari Halnor, the Chief Medical Officer, and peon Atul Ghatkamble who works under Dr Taware, in connection with the car crash case.

The Pune Police on Monday said the blood samples of the juvenile driver were thrown into a dustbin and replaced with another person's samples, which showed no traces of alcohol and arrested the two doctors and staffer of the Sassoon General Hospital.

NCP MLA Ensured Juvenile Gets Favourable Treatment

There have been reports that Vadgaon Sheri NCP MLA Tingre had intervened to ensure the accused juvenile gets favourable treatment from police, though a senior official earlier said he had come to the police station, but it won’t be correct to say the direction of the police investigation was impacted due to this.

NCP Minister Hasan Mushrif Endorses Dr Taware

Tingre's letter from last year addressed to state medical education minister Hasan Mushrif has now surfaced on social media, in which he recommended Dr Taware for the position of medical superintendent at the state-run hospital in Pune.

In the letter dated December 26, 2023, Tingre said he knew Dr Taware and noted the latter had previously worked as the superintendent and discharged his duties well during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"I request you to kindly consider giving the additional charge of medical superintendent to Taware," the letter stated.

The letter also had a handwritten note from Mushrif, directing the Sassoon Hospital's dean to give the additional charge to Dr Taware.

Mushrif's note mentioned that, according to rules, a person of professor rank should be considered for the position, and the (then) current medical superintendent back then did not fulfil the criteria.

NCP MLA Tingre Responds

On Tuesday, MLA Tingre in a statement claimed there was an attempt to give a "different colour" to the issue over the recommendation letter.

"As a public representative, many people approach me for recommendation letters for various reasons such as school admissions, medical treatment, and job transfers. Each recommendation letter includes a note that action should be taken according to the rules, and the department concerned acts only if the request is appropriate," he stated.

Tingre said it would not be appropriate to give a different turn to the issue.

"I have full faith in the justice system, and I believe things will get clear at the end of an enquiry," he said.

Crores Facilitated by Teen's Father?

Republic has learnt that multiple calls via the Internet were allegedly made between the father of the teen Vishal Agarwal and Dr Taware on the night when the car crash occurred.

Apart from the calls, several meetings with key people linked to the case were also held. However, the cops have yet to reveal the names.

Republic revealed that Rs 2.5 lakh was recovered from Dr Harol while Rs 50,000 was allegedly received from the peon Ghatkamble who acted as the middleman in the money exchange.

Pune Police Crime Branch has claimed that so far Dr Taware hasn't been cooperating and that there was a huge cash flow to the tune of crores facilitated by Vishal Agrawal on that very night of the accident. The cops have said they were scrutinising the money trail.

Pune Porsche Car Crash: What Is It?

Two IT professionals in their 20s were killed after their motorcycle was hit by a speeding Porsche, allegedly driven by a 17-year-old, in the early hours of May 19 in the Kalyani Nagar area here. According to police, the teenager was drunk at the time.

However, the question remains, why hasn't the Pune Police, despite having proof, also arrested Hassan Mushraf, Ajit Pawar's close aide, who appointed Dr Taware? (with PTI inputs)