Probation Granted to Young Offender in 11-Year-Old Fatal Accident Case

The Bombay High Court upheld the conviction of Akshay Khandve, who, at age 18, fatally injured a woman by ramming his motorbike into her. Khandve, now 28, was granted probation due to his lack of criminal intent and young age at the time, along with other mitigating factors.

The Bombay High Court on Monday upheld the conviction of 28-year-old Akshay Khandve, who fatally injured a woman in a motorbike accident 11 years ago. However, the court granted him probation, acknowledging his young age and lack of criminal intent at the time.

Justice S G Mehare, sitting at the Aurangabad bench, emphasized while Khandve's conviction was just and lawful, the Probation of Offenders Act provisions could be extended due to his youth and circumstances surrounding the incident. Khandve had just turned 18 when he drove his new motorcycle rashly, causing the accident that led to the woman's death.

The high court noted Khandve had no previous criminal record and highlighted the importance of considering his age and future prospects. The court deemed it appropriate to release him on probation for good conduct, overturning previous sentences from lower courts while maintaining the conviction.