Gujarat HC rejects bail plea of Oreva Group MD Jaysukh Patel

Morbi: The Gujarat High Court today rejected the regular bail application of Jaysukh Patel, CMD of Oreva Group and the primary accused in the Morbi suspension bridge collapse case.

Justice Divyesh Joshi dismissed the application, denying bail to Patel, who has been in custody since surrendering in January after being named as the main accused in the case. Earlier, his regular bail pleas had been turned down by lower courts.

Patel’s company was responsible for the operation and maintenance of the British-era suspension bridge on the Machchhu River in Gujarat’s Morbi town. The bridge collapsed on October 30, claiming 135 lives, including children, and injuring 56 others.

Patel, along with nine others, faces charges under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including culpable homicide, attempt to commit culpable homicide, and acts endangering human life.

The Gujarat government did not oppose Patel’s bail plea, leaving the decision to the court.

Nirupam Nanavaty, Patel’s lawyer, argued for bail and claimed that the group’s employees allowed a crowd to gather on the bridge during a holiday, and the collapse occurred due to an intervening factor, constituting contributory negligence.

Opposing Patel’s plea, victims’ lawyer Rahul Sharma raised concerns about witness tampering if the accused were released on bail. DeshGujarat