Mumbai: A sessions court on Friday rejected the bail plea of BEST bus driver Sanjay More (54) in connection with a tragic accident that resulted in multiple fatalities and injuries. The court observed that there were several witnesses who gave statements about the accused driving the vehicle rashly and recklessly.
Additional sessions judge VG Raghuwanshi said: “The offence is very serious, in which nine persons were killed, several persons were injured, and several vehicles were damaged. This is not a fit case to exercise discretion in favour of the applicant.”
The crash took place on Dec 9, 2024, when More, while driving an electric bus, lost control of the vehicle. The accident led to the deaths of nine people, injuries to 37, and damage to 22 vehicles. More was arrested a day later.
In his bail application, More’s defence lawyer argued that the accident was unfortunate, and he only received three days of training to operate the electric bus, despite a mandatory requirement of 15 days. The defence claimed that further detention was unnecessary as the investigation was complete.
The prosecution countered the arguments, stating that witnesses, including a police officer, reported that More was driving rashly and recklessly. The prosecution emphasised the severity of the crash and argued that More had driven the electric bus for a significant distance (728 km), indicating he had some experience. The prosecution submitted that More had no psychological problem; he was not intoxicated; and there was no mechanical fault.
This is the second of More’s bail applications that has been rejected. On Jan 10, in a detailed order rejecting his first bail plea, the judge refuted his defence that the crash took place due to poor maintenance, brake failure, or mechanical or technical defect.
Additional sessions judge VM Pathade had then said that there was no material to prima facie support his contention. “…the report issued by the RTOprima facie suggests there was no mechanical fault in the said bus…” the judge had said, “It is hardly to be believed that there was any mechanical failure in the bus which resulted in the very unfortunate mishap,”