Jaysukh Patel, promoter of the Ajanta Oreva Group and prime accused in the Morbi bridge collapse case, has been granted permission to enter Morbi district, a year after being released on bail by the Supreme Court.
For background, the Oreva Group, Patel’s firm, was responsible for the operation and maintenance of a British-era suspension bridge over the Machchhu River in Morbi town. The bridge collapsed on October 30, 2022, killing 135 people and injuring 56. The Morbi bridge had reopened just five days prior after extensive repairs. The tragedy led to a police investigation and the arrest of nine individuals associated with the Oreva Group. Patel was among those implicated in the case.
Patel had filed an application seeking the cancellation of three bail conditions set by the trial court. The Morbi district court partially allowed his request, modifying the conditions and cancelling one of them.
Sessions Judge DP Mahida cancelled condition No. 8, which prohibited Patel from entering Morbi district until the trial’s conclusion without prior permission, except for attending court proceedings. However, the court rejected his plea to cancel two other conditions.
Through his advocate, AR Desai, Patel had requested the cancellation of conditions requiring him to surrender his passport and seek court permission before leaving the country.
He argued that he had complied with the Gujarat High Court’s directive by compensating the victims’ families. He stated that he had lived in Morbi for over 40 years and operated business offices in the district. The entry ban, he claimed, had caused business losses. Supporting his plea, he submitted a report from a chartered accountant.
Patel emphasised that his company employed over 50,000 people and that its financial struggles had adversely impacted employees and their families.
He asserted that his personal net worth stood at Rs 70 crore, with movable and immovable assets valued at Rs 12 crore in book value and Rs 50 crore in market value. His business turnover was cited as Rs 500 crore, which, he argued, negated the risk of him fleeing abroad to evade trial.
He also noted that the chargesheet had been filed and that he had not attempted to contact witnesses after his bail release, stating that the case relied on the Forensic Science Laboratory report.
Special Public Prosecutor Vijay Jani expressed concerns that cancelling the conditions related to his passport and foreign travel could enable Patel to settle abroad, thus avoiding trial. He further argued that Patel’s entry into Morbi might pose a law-and-order risk and influence witnesses.
However, the court dismissed these concerns regarding public order and allowed Patel to enter Morbi. The conditions regarding his passport and foreign travel remain unchanged.
The Supreme Court granted Patel bail on March 22, 2024, subject to conditions set by the trial court, which formalised eight bail conditions on March 26, 2024.
The present ruling allows him to engage more directly in the trial, even as authorities seek justice for the victims.
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