New Delhi: A Delhi court on Wednesday denied bail to a sub-contractor who was arrested following the death of a 25-year-old biker after falling into an uncovered Delhi Jal Board pit.
Judicial Magistrate First Class Harjot Singh Aujla, while hearing a regular bail application filed by the accused sub-contractor, Rajesh Kumar Prajapati, said that “the gravity of the offence and its societal impact cannot be ignored”.
The court said, “The allegations prima facie disclose serious lapses regarding safety measures and supervisory responsibility. At this stage, the
court is not required to conduct a mini trial. However, the gravity of the offence and its societal impact cannot be ignored.”
The court noted that the investigation is at the initial stage and the Investigating Officer is collecting relevant records pertaining to permissions, safety compliance, barricading arrangements, deployment of personnel and responsibility matrix.
“The possibility of the accused influencing material witnesses, particularly local residents, labourers or officials associated with the project, cannot be ruled out at this juncture. Furthermore, documentary evidence concerning the execution of civic work is susceptible to alteration or manipulation, especially when the investigation is yet to crystallise the chain of responsibility,” the judge said.
The court said the sub-contractor has no previous criminal antecedents but the seriousness of the allegations, the stage of investigation and the potential of interference with the investigation weigh against the grant of bail at this stage.
