Court Cites Lack of Adequate Training and Absence of Malafide Intent in Granting Bail to Driver Accused of Causing Nine Fatalities
Mumbai, April 3, 2026 - In a significant judgment, the Bombay High Court has granted bail to Sanjay Datta More, a BEST bus driver accused of causing a tragic road accident that resulted in the deaths of nine individuals and injuries to thirty-seven others. The incident, which occurred on December 9, 2024, involved the rash and negligent driving of an electric bus on S. G. Barve Marg, Kurla, Mumbai, leading to a collision with twenty-two vehicles.
The court, presided over by Justice R.M. Joshi, evaluated the circumstances under which the accident occurred. The judgment emphasized the inadequate training provided to More, who was not sufficiently prepared to handle electric buses. The court noted that the BEST administration had reduced the mandatory training period from seven days to just three, without practical road experience, thus contributing to the tragic event.
The court further observed that More, a contract employee, acted under the instructions of his employer and lacked any malafide intent or knowledge of causing harm. Justice Joshi highlighted that More was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the accident, which underscored the absence of intent to cause the accident.
In its decision, the court distinguished the charges applicable to More, finding that the act did not amount to murder under Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (B.N.S.), but rather fell under Section 106, which carries a maximum punishment of five years imprisonment. The court considered the improbability of the trial's completion within a reasonable time, given the extensive witness list and the applicant's imprisonment since December 2024.
The court granted bail to More on the condition of furnishing a P.R. Bond of Rs. 15,000/- with one surety. Additional conditions included non-interference with prosecution evidence and mandatory attendance at trial dates unless officially exempted. Any breach could result in bail cancellation.
This judgment sheds light on the critical importance of adequate training for drivers, especially in the context of new and complex vehicle technologies, and raises questions about the responsibilities of employers in ensuring public safety.
Bottom Line:
Bail granted to a BEST bus driver accused of causing multiple fatalities and injuries in a road accident, considering lack of adequate training, absence of intent or malafide, and the improbability of trial completion within a reasonable time.
Statutory provision(s): Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 Sections 105, 106, 110, 118(1), 118(2), 324(5), 125(a)(b), 319(2), 3(5), Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 Section 184
Sanjay Datta More v. State of Maharashtra, (Bombay) : Law Finder Doc id # 2876834
