Pune: Investigations into the Gaurav Ahuja case have confirmed that Ahuja and his associate, Bhagyesh Prakash Oswal, had consumed drugs before engaging in reckless behavior on public roads. The police have charged them with offenses under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Motor Vehicles Act, including public nuisance, rash and negligent driving, and endangering public safety. Additionally, Section 65 of the Maharashtra Prohibition Act has been invoked. Both individuals were arrested and presented before the court on Sunday, which remanded them to police custody until Monday.
A widely circulated video on social media captured Oswal sitting in the front seat of a luxury car while Ahuja urinated at a traffic junction. He then returned to the vehicle, made an obscene gesture towards a bystander recording the incident, and sped away.
Following this, police arrested Oswal from his residence on Saturday, while Ahuja, who initially fled, was later detained in Karad, Satara district, and taken into custody in the early hours of Sunday.
During their court appearance, the prosecution sought a seven-day police remand to probe whether the duo had consumed narcotics. However, their defense lawyers opposed the request, alleging that police action was influenced by political and media pressure and that the charges under BNS were misapplied.
As per the information provided by police, Oswal was in the passenger seat while Ahuja was the one seen urinating and making an offensive gesture. Ahuja attempted to evade arrest but was eventually caught in Satara. Both underwent medical tests, and the initial reports have been obtained. The investigation is ongoing.”
Judicial Magistrate First Class N S Bari remanded the accused to police custody for a day, with Police Sub-Inspector Nandkumar Kekan from Yerwada Police Station leading the probe.
Inspector Vijay Thakar, leading the crime branch investigation, informed the court, “The duo was in a BMW bearing the registration number MH 12-RF8419. CCTV footage revealed that they were consuming banned substances. Although we initially suspected alcohol consumption, further investigation confirmed drug use. We need to determine the source of the drugs and gather more details on their involvement.”
Assistant Public Prosecutor Sunita Dange argued for extended police custody, stating, “Ahuja was absconding after the incident, and Oswal was apprehended later. We need to investigate potential accomplices who may have aided them in fleeing. Additionally, Ahuja has a prior criminal record, with a 2021 case under the Public Gambling Act at Vimannagar Police Station. Given these factors, we seek a seven-day remand for further inquiry.”
Defense counsels Adv. Pushkar Durge and Adv. Sunil Ramapure countered that “the accused voluntarily surrendered and are cooperating with the investigation. Their medical tests have been completed, and apart from Section 65 of the Maharashtra Prohibition Act, all charges against them are bailable. There is no need for further police custody.”
After hearing arguments from both sides, the court ordered Ahuja and Oswal to remain in police custody until March 10, allowing further investigation into the case.
