The Supreme Court on 15 March 2026 dismissed the Special Leave Petition (SLP) filed by the State of Gujarat. The petition contested the bail order granted by the Gujarat High Court to Rakshit Ravish Chorasiya, a 23‑year‑old law student accused of a fatal car crash in March 2025.
Key Developments
- The two‑judge bench, comprising Justice Vikram Nath and Justice N.V. Anjaria, refused to interfere with the bail, noting that the accused had already spent nine months in custody.
- The State argued that Chorasiya was a drug addict, had caused three collisions, and showed no remorse, citing an additional FIR under the NDPS Act.
- The Court observed that the offence was not "deliberate or voluntary" and therefore the maximum punishment under Section 105 of the Indian Penal Code was not a decisive factor for continued detention.
- All charges, ranging from culpable homicide to violations of the Motor Vehicles Act, remain pending, but bail was upheld.
Important Facts
Chorasiya faces charges under multiple sections:
- Section 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder)
- Section 281 (rash driving), Section 125 (act endangering life), Section 324(5) (mischief), Section 54 (abettor present)
- Motor Vehicles Act provisions: Sections 134 (owner’s duty to give information), 177 (general punishment), 184 (driving dangerously), 185 (driving under influence of drugs/alcohol)
Exam Relevance
This case illustrates several themes frequently examined in the UPSC syllabus:
- Judicial Review and Hierarchy: The power of the Supreme Court to entertain or dismiss SLPs reflects the checks‑and‑balances within the Indian judicial system (GS2).
- Criminal Procedure: Understanding bail provisions, the role of custodial periods, and the distinction between deliberate and non‑deliberate offences is essential for the Polity paper.
- Legislation on Road Safety and Narcotics: The interplay of the Motor Vehicles Act and the NDPS Act demonstrates how multiple statutes converge in a single criminal incident.
Way Forward
While bail has been granted, the trial will determine the final conviction and sentencing. Aspirants should monitor how courts interpret "knowledge of danger" in drug‑influenced driving cases, as jurisprudence in this area can shape future legislative amendments to road‑safety and narcotics laws.