A Gujarat court on Friday, ordered the judicial remand of Tathya Patel, the driver accused of causing the death of 9 people by recklessly driving his luxury car on the ISKCON Bridge in Ahmedabad.
The incident occurred at approximately 1 am on Thursday morning on the Sarkhej-Gandhinagar highway, where a speeding car collided with a crowd that gathered following an earlier accident involving another vehicle and a truck.
In connection with the case, the driver’s father, Pragnesh Patel, has also been remanded to judicial custody for 14 days.
Following the arrest, the Gujarat Police brought both the accused driver and his father to the crime scene, where a video captured the accused offering an apology with folded hands.
In response to the tragic accident, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel convened a high-level meeting and directed officials to take stringent action against the accused.
During the meeting, it was decided that the case would receive priority and the charge sheet would be presented within a week. The trial would be conducted in a fast-track court, with the appointment of a special public prosecutor.
The Chief Minister emphasized the state government’s full commitment to pursue strict punitive measures against the culprits, setting an example in society and preventing similar incidents in the future.
In consideration of the accident’s impact, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel announced a compensation of Rs.4 lakh to the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to the injured.
He also instructed Health Minister Rushikesh Patel to provide assistance to the victims’ families at Sola Civil Hospital.
Furthermore, CM Bhupendra Patel urged the Chief Secretary to enhance coordination between the police, road-building authorities, urban development departments, and local authorities to improve the CCTV camera network and lighting on highways throughout the state, including those passing through cities, to effectively monitor vehicle speeds. This measure aims to enhance road safety and prevent future accidents.
