Morbi Bridge Collapse: Court Grants Bail to Oreva Group CMD with Certain Conditions

A court in Morbi (Gujarat) has granted bail to Oreva Group Chief Managing Director (CMD) Jaysukh Patel, the main accused in the 2022 Morbi suspension bridge collapse case, and has prohibited his entry into the district until the trial’s completion, imposing seven conditions for his release.

Patel, the main accused in the case, has been released from Morbi sub-jail as per the orders of Principal Sessions Court Judge PC Joshi. This action follows days after the Supreme Court permitted his regular bail plea and instructed the trial court to establish stringent terms and conditions for his release.

The Morbi suspension bridge, located on the Machchhu river in Morbi city of Gujarat, collapsed on October 30, 2022, resulting in the death of 135 individuals.

Principal Sessions Judge PC Joshi’s court imposed seven conditions on Patel, the primary accused in the case, for his release on regular bail, as stated by special public prosecutor Vijay Jani.

“The accused was instructed to stay outside Morbi district until the trial’s conclusion, only visiting the district on trial dates,” he stated.

Additionally, the accused was directed to furnish a Rs 1 lakh bail bond and refrain from tampering with evidence or influencing witnesses, Jani informed the media.

Patel was also mandated to provide his residential proof to the court and notify it of any address changes, Jani added.

The court instructed Patel to surrender his passport within seven days and mandated his presence for hearings in the trial court.

On March 22, the Supreme Court ordered Patel’s release on strict bail conditions, to be determined by the trial court.

Patel had appealed to the top court after the Gujarat High Court rejected his regular bail plea last December.

Patel’s firm was accountable for the operation and maintenance of the ill-fated British-era suspension bridge on the Machchhu river in Morbi town of Gujarat. The collapse of the bridge resulted in the death of 135 individuals, including women and children, and left 56 others injured.

Patel and nine others face charges under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 308 (attempt to commit culpable homicide), 336 (an act endangering human life), 337 (causing hurt to any person by doing any rash or negligent act), and 338 (causing grievous hurt by doing a rash or negligent act).