Pune: Two young men who stopped their luxury car in the middle of the road at Shastrinagar Chowk, Yerawada, and engaged in obscene acts have been found to be under the influence of drugs, according to police investigations. The accused, Gaurav Manoj Ahuja (25) and Bhagyesh Prakash Oswal (22), had been partying all night at a high-end pub in a five-star hotel on Koregaon Park-Mundhwa Road before the incident.
Following the circulation of video footage on social media, police reviewed CCTV recordings from the hotel where the duo had been partying. A case has been registered at the Yerawada Police Station under multiple charges, including public nuisance, indecent behavior, obstructing traffic under the Motor Vehicle Act, and violating prohibition laws. Police Constable Ganesh Ashok Thopte (36) filed the complaint.
Arrests and Court Proceedings
The incident occurred at 7:30 AM on March 8. Once the video of Gaurav Ahuja’s act surfaced online, the police took action. Bhagyesh Oswal was arrested on the evening of March 8, while Gaurav Ahuja later surrendered at the Karad Police Station.
On March 9, both accused were presented before the court. The prosecution argued that CCTV footage confirmed the duo had committed the crime while under the influence of drugs. During questioning, the accused did not cooperate and provided evasive responses. The police sought further custody to investigate their drug and alcohol consumption, determine if anyone assisted them in escaping, and identify potential accomplices.
After hearing arguments from government prosecutor Sunita Dange and defense lawyers Adv. Pushkar Durge and Adv. Sunil Rampure, First-Class Magistrate N.S. Bari granted police custody of both accused until March 11 (Monday).
Gaurav Ahuja’s Escape Attempt and Apology Video
Following the viral circulation of the video and the registration of a case against him, Gaurav Ahuja attempted to evade arrest by fleeing to Kolhapur. He abandoned his luxury car near Kolhapur and sought an auto-rickshaw driver’s help in renting another vehicle. The driver arranged a rental car, which Gaurav used to travel to Sankeshwar.
However, instead of continuing to escape, he instructed the driver to return to Pune and drop him off in Yerawada. Before surrendering, he also asked the driver to record a video of him apologizing for his actions. Eventually, he surrendered at the Karad Police Station, bringing an end to his brief attempt at evasion.