The Gujarat High Court has rejected the bail plea of Oreva Group promoter Jaysukh Patel in connection with the Morbi suspension bridge collapse incident that claimed the lives of 135 individuals in October of the previous year. Patel, deemed the prime accused due to his company’s maintenance and operation of the bridge, has been in custody since January.
Justice Divyesh Joshi dismissed the bail plea despite the state government’s decision not to oppose it, deferring the final verdict to the judiciary’s discretion. Additional advocate general Mitesh Amin, representing the state, emphasized Patel’s standing as a businessman and asserted minimal risk of flight.
However, an association representing the families of the collapse victims expressed dismay over the state’s stance, penning a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, and the High Court Chief Justice. The letter condemned the government’s representation, citing it as contradictory to promises made and expressing concern over the apparent alignment of arguments between the state and Amin.
Six out of ten individuals accused of culpable homicide in the incident have been granted bail previously. Patel’s earlier bail plea in April was also rejected by a Morbi court.
A specially appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT) by the Gujarat government held Oreva’s management, including Patel and the Morbi municipality’s chief officer, accountable for the collapse. The report highlighted operational and technical negligence by the company, labeling its approach as “lackadaisical.”
The SIT report revealed flaws in the bridge’s renovation design and criticized administrative and technical lapses that led to the tragedy. Despite prior warnings regarding the bridge’s condition, it wasn’t handed over to authorities for necessary action.
Oreva Group, known for manufacturing clocks, home appliances, and e-bikes, had undertaken the renovation, maintenance, and operation of the bridge. The reopening of the bridge to the public allegedly occurred without informing Morbi municipality, and within days, the collapse raised concerns about repair quality and the bridge’s capacity.
Patel faces charges of culpable homicide for allegedly allowing public access to the bridge without informing authorities, sparking questions about safety measures and renovation quality.
Sources By Agencies