Pune Nightlife Faces Decline After Tragic Porsche Accident Involving Minor

Pune, 30th May 2024: Pubs and clubs in Pune have experienced a significant drop in patronage following a tragic incident where a 17-year-old, under the influence of alcohol, caused the death of two software engineers. This accident has intensified scrutiny and enforcement of Maharashtra’s legal drinking age, which is 25.

Once the epicenter of lively parties and social gatherings, Pune’s nightlife scene is now noticeably quieter. Entrepreneur Chirag Barjatya shared videos on social media showing empty clubs and pubs, noting that the usual crowd of high school and college students are no longer being allowed entry. “Pune clubs are empty. The crowd that used to party the most (high school kids and college kids) are not even being allowed to enter. They have stopped serving alcohol in the clubs except near the bar area. Even 40-50-year-old people are being asked to show IDs for entry,” Barjatya stated.

The incident in question occurred on May 19, when a minor spent Rs 48,000 at a pub before driving his luxury car and fatally hitting two pedestrians. This tragedy has prompted clubs to rigorously check IDs and deny entry to anyone under the legal drinking age of 25. The crackdown has been widely noted on social media, with many confirming the new, stricter enforcement.

While some people have welcomed these changes as necessary, others remain skeptical, suggesting that the stringent measures may only be temporary and that things could revert to the old ways in a few weeks.

In the meantime, Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar clarified that the minor was fully aware of his actions at the time of the incident. “He [the minor accused] was in his senses. It was not as if all of them were so drunk that they could not understand anything. They had full knowledge that due to their conduct, an incident like section 304 can happen,” he stated.

The minor has been placed in an observation home until June 5, and his father, builder Vishal Agarwal and grandfather Surendra Kumar Agarwal, has also been arrested in connection with the case. Also, six persons including owner, managers and staff of Cosie and Blak club, where the minor was served liquor, have also been arrested.