In a recent decision, a Supreme Court bench led by Justices MM Sundresh and SVN Bhatti has affirmed the bail granted to Dineshkumar Dave, who serves as the Manager of Oreva Group. Dave was overseeing repair work on the Morbi Bridge in Gujarat when the British-era structure tragically collapsed on October 30, 2022, shortly after reopening following renovations.

The Gujarat High Court had initially granted bail to Dineshkumar Dave in November of the same year. However, the Tragedy Victim Association Morbi contested this decision in the Supreme Court. Despite the appeal, the bench refused to overturn the bail, emphasizing that the investigation against the Oreva manager had been concluded, and prolonged incarceration could not be justified.

In November 2022, the Supreme Court had instructed the Gujarat High Court to oversee the investigation, ensuring accountability and adequate compensation for the victims of the Morbi Bridge collapse. In response, the Gujarat High Court division bench of Chief Justice Aravind Kumar and Justice Ashutosh J. Shastri, initiated a suo motu public interest litigation (PIL) based on a news article from the Times of India. During Diwali vacations, the court instructed the Registry to file the PIL through telephonic instructions, subsequently presenting the matter before the division bench for consideration.

The Morbi Bridge collapse occurred shortly after its reopening to the public, following repairs and maintenance by the Oreva Company. Four individuals were placed in judicial custody by the local court in Gujarat in connection with the incident. Notably, the Morbi Bar Association took a stance by passing a resolution, deciding not to represent any of the accused involved in the bridge collapse before the court.

Case:  TRAGEDY VICTIM ASSOCIATION MORBI vs. DINESHKUMAR MANSUKHRAI DAVE AND ANR.