The shocking incident involving Gaurav Ahuja, who was caught on camera urinating on a busy road in Pune, has sparked widespread outrage, leading to his detention by the police. In an attempt to mitigate the backlash, Ahuja recorded an apology video before his arrest, expressing deep regret for his actions and pleading for forgiveness from the public, police, and Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. His statement, in which he vowed never to repeat such behavior, came after the video of the incident went viral on social media, showing him stepping out of his luxury BMW at Shastrinagar Chowk in Yerawada and urinating while another man, Bhagyesh Oswal, sat in the front seat, smirking at the camera.
Following the public outrage and police intervention, Ahuja embarked on a convoluted journey to evade authorities. After leaving Pune on March 8, he traveled to Kolhapur, where he sought the assistance of a local auto-rickshaw driver to rent another vehicle and continue his journey to Dharwad. However, midway, he abruptly changed his destination and requested the driver to take him back to Pune. Upon reaching Yerawada, he had the same driver film his apology video, which he then circulated among friends before being tracked down by police in Maharashtra's Satara district and taken into custody.
His associate, Bhagyesh Oswal, was also detained, and authorities suspect that both men were intoxicated at the time of the incident. Medical tests have been ordered to confirm whether Oswal was under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the act. Meanwhile, Ahuja has been charged under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Motor Vehicles Act, including public nuisance, reckless driving, and endangering public safety.
The controversy surrounding Ahuja does not end with this incident, as reports have surfaced indicating a history of involvement in illegal gambling and betting activities. Allegedly, Ahuja and his father, Manoj Ahuja, have been associated with organizing high-stakes poker games and cricket betting operations. In 2021, when Ahuja was just 20 years old, he was reportedly named in a gambling and extortion case linked to a gang running illegal cricket betting rings. His past involvement in such activities raises concerns about deeper criminal connections and potential legal consequences beyond the public nuisance charges he currently faces.
The incident has not only sparked criticism of Ahuja’s behavior but has also raised questions about law enforcement and the leniency often afforded to individuals with influential backgrounds. Many on social media have expressed outrage over the privilege and arrogance displayed by individuals who believe they can flout laws without repercussions. The case highlights the need for stricter enforcement of public behavior laws and reinforces the importance of accountability, regardless of social or economic status.
