The Bombay High Court has expressed reluctance to allow Janhavi Gadkar, the corporate lawyer convicted in a high-profile drunk driving case, to sell the Audi Q5 car that was involved in the accident which killed two persons in June 2015.
Single-judge Justice Madhav Jamdar stated that the Court was not prima facie inclined to permit the sale of the vehicle, which collided with a taxi on the Eastern Freeway in Mumbai on June 5, 2015.
The 2015 Eastern Freeway Accident
The incident occurred on June 5, 2015, when Gadkar was driving her Audi Q5 and collided with a taxi on the Eastern Freeway in Mumbai. Two persons died and several others were injured in the accident. Gadkar was found to have been driving under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident.
She was tried and convicted by a lower court for causing death by negligence. The case became one of the most high-profile drunk driving cases in Mumbai in recent years, drawing significant media attention due to Gadkar’s profile as a senior corporate lawyer.
Current Proceedings
The matter came before Justice Jamdar as part of ongoing proceedings related to the case. Gadkar had sought permission from the Court to sell the vehicle. The Court declined to grant such permission at this stage, noting that it was not inclined to allow the sale of the vehicle that was at the centre of the fatal accident.
Legal Context
In criminal cases involving motor vehicles, the vehicles concerned are often treated as material evidence and their disposal or sale during pending proceedings can raise legal complications. Courts typically exercise caution in permitting the sale or disposal of vehicles involved in serious accidents where criminal proceedings are still ongoing or where appeals are pending.
Significance
The Janhavi Gadkar case has been a landmark in highlighting the legal consequences of drunk driving in India. The case is frequently cited in discussions about road safety law and the accountability of drivers, regardless of their social or professional status.
Court: Bombay High Court | Bench: Justice Madhav Jamdar | Date: June 11, 2026 | Source: LiveLaw
