Bail for driver in accident that killed two sports officials | Goa News

Panaji: A court granted conditional bail to Rahul Sarwade, 37, of Solapur, the driver of the fuel tanker who was arrested in the death of two senior sepaktakraw officials, Yogendra Singh Dahiya and Ankit Singh Balian, in an accident at Bambolim on Nov 4.The court directed Sarwade to pay Rs 25,000 each to the immediate relatives of the two victims and instructed the IO to provide bank details of the immediate relatives of the victims.The fuel tanker crossed the divider and rammed into the rental car with the two officials travelling in the opposite direction. The investigating officer (IO) said that this amounted to culpable homicide not amounting to murder, punishable under provisions of the BNS. He added that the driver fled from the spot after causing the accident and was then apprehended at Merces circle by police.The IO said that if released on bail, it might hamper the investigation and sought rejection of his bail application. Sarwade, in his application seeking bail, stated that there was no intention, motive, or knowledge to commit such an offence and said it was an accident, which is a bailable offence where his custody is not warranted. His advocate, S Kalangutkar, told the court that there could have been a mechanical defect, thereby locking the gear and the steering, and the vehicle must have gone out of control. However, there is no evidence to support this contention.He added that Sarwade has no criminal antecedents and has agreed to cooperate with the investigation. The IO submitted that the motor vehicle accident report has not been received and the investigation is still in progress. The court observed that the investigation is almost complete since the IO stated that evidence has been collected, including spot panchanama, seizure of the offending vehicle, and statements of eyewitnesses. The IO added that he was a licensed driver but was driving the vehicle at an excessive speed beyond the permissible limit.“Considering that it is just an accident and the applicant is in judicial custody at present, therefore, stringent conditions can be imposed for granting bail to the applicant,” the court stated.