The Bombay High Court on Monday granted bail to Sanjay More, the Mumbai civic bus driver involved in the December 9, 2024, Kurla accident that resulted in nine deaths, injuries to 37 people, and damage to 22 vehicles. The order was passed by a bench led by Justice RM Joshi while hearing More’s bail application.
During the hearing, More’s legal counsel argued that he was an experienced driver and that the charges against him, particularly culpable homicide not amounting to murder, were excessive. They contended that even if there had been negligence, it would fall under rash and negligent driving rather than a more serious criminal charge. The defence also highlighted that More had received only three days of training on the electric bus involved in the incident, suggesting that a lack of familiarity may have contributed to the accident.
It was further submitted before the court that More had already spent over a year in custody. The defence emphasised that the prosecution had listed a large number of witnesses, making it unlikely for the trial to conclude in the near future. This delay, they argued, justified the grant of bail.
Earlier, a Sessions court had rejected More’s bail plea, citing the gravity of the charges. However, despite charges being formally framed in October 2025 and a summons issued to witnesses in December, the trial has not progressed as expected. The absence of prosecution witnesses over the past two months has contributed to the delay.
Taking these factors into account, including the duration of custody and the anticipated length of the trial, the High Court granted bail, allowing More to be released while the case continues to be heard.
