HC denies bail to accused in Uranus hit case | Mumbai News

MUMBAI: The Bombay High Court on Friday rejected the bail plea filed by the accused in the April Uranus hit-and-run case, saying there was a risk that the 26-year-old could tamper with evidence if released.

On the night of April 6, accused Jay Gharat was allegedly driving his car rashly at high speed when he hit a family of three riding a scooter. In the accident, which took place in front of the Uran railway station, 40-year-old Pavitra Baral and his wife Rashmita Baral (37) died, and their three-year-old daughter Pari was seriously injured. Gharat allegedly fled the spot despite the presence of a government railway police officer who was the first to reach the spot and was an informant in the case. Gharat was arrested later that month.

The Supreme Court, relying on the statements recorded by the trial court while ruling on Gharat’s bail application, observed that there was a risk that the accused was intoxicated while driving. The court also noted that there had apparently been a deliberate omission of the investigation because the investigating officers had not taken blood samples from the accused to test his blood alcohol content.

The trial court observed that officials of Uran police station and traffic police allowed Gharat to escape from the scene of the accident. The High Court noted that it was obvious that Gharat had some influence over the police officers due to his ability to evade them despite the accident that took place outside the police station. The court said that “there is a high probability that if the applicant is released on bail, he will be able to manipulate the prosecution evidence and put pressure on witnesses.”

Although the court rejected the bail application, it appreciated the fact that Gharat’s family had spent huge amounts on the treatment of three-year-old Pari Baral, who was injured in the accident. However, the court said this would not help erase the serious irregularities and inhumane behavior and attitude of Gharat immediately after the incident.