MP High Court Grants Bail In Jabalpur Accident Case, Criticises “Casual” Police Probe

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has granted bail to 24-year-old businessman Lakhan Soni, accused in a fatal road accident near Jabalpur that claimed the lives of five labourers and injured 11 others. While allowing the bail plea, the Court raised serious concerns over the manner in which the police investigation was conducted.

Justice Sanjeev S. Kalgaonkar observed that the prosecution had failed to place any direct evidence showing that Soni was driving the vehicle involved in the accident. The Court noted that the case against him mainly relied on statements allegedly made before the police by the accused and a co-accused, which are not admissible as substantive evidence during trial.

The incident relates to a January 2026 accident near Sigma Kanha Colony in Jabalpur, where a Nissan Magnite allegedly ran over labourers working at a road construction site. During the hearing, the Court pointed out that investigators had not recorded the statement of a woman said to be travelling in the vehicle at the time of the accident. It further remarked that no eyewitness had identified Lakhan Soni as the driver.

Calling the probe “casual” despite the gravity of the incident, the Court said continued custody was not justified, especially since the accused had no criminal background. Bail was granted on a personal bond of ₹1 lakh with strict conditions regarding attendance, witness intimidation, and evidence tampering.