Gurgaon: A local court on Tuesday dismissed the bail application of the man arrested in connection with a crash that claimed the life of a 19-year-old tattoo artist. Rohit Yadav (23) — the driver of an SUV — will remain in judicial custody.Additional sessions judge (ASJ) Varsha Jain rejected the regular bail plea of Yadav, who was arrested on the day of the Sohna Chowk crash — July 17 — when his Mahindra Thar allegedly rammed into a car, injuring four people. Tattoo artist Divyansh Chadha succumbed to his injuries on July 21 after remaining unconscious for four days.A judicial magistrate first class earlier rejected his bail application on July 24, following which Rohit approached the sessions court. The counsels for the victim’s kin contended that if released on bail, there was a possibility of the accused tampering with evidence or influencing witnesses.The accident took place around 4.40am at Old Jail Chowk in the city. An FIR was initially registered at Shivaji Nagar police station under provisions relating to rash driving and causing hurt. During the investigation, police added Section 110 of BNS, dealing with attempt to commit culpable homicide.In his bail plea, Rohit contended that the investigating agency had “converted a pure road accident into an attempt to commit culpable homicide” without any evidence to support such a charge. He argued that the collision occurred at an intersection during the early hours and that there was neither prior enmity nor any acquaintance between him and the occupants of the other vehicle.The defence submitted that merely alleging high speed or negligence could not satisfy the legal requirement of intention or knowledge necessary to invoke Section 110. It also argued that the addition of the provision during the investigation was an afterthought based on CCTV footage.The bail application said that the police had already seized both vehicles, collected registration and insurance documents, obtained CCTV footage and recorded witness statements. It argued that nothing remained to be recovered from the accused and that custodial interrogation was no longer required.Meanwhile, advocate Aditya and advocate Seema Tomar — counsels for the victim’s kin — while opposing the bail plea, averred that as the accused was suspected to be under the influence of alcohol, for which the CFSL report is awaited, he knew that he could have harmed someone while driving and thus he should have also been booked under Section 105 (causing a person’s death through a blameworthy, criminal act, covering intent, recklessness, or knowledge of likely fatal outcomes) of BNS.Those injured included Meenakshi Chadha, 45, her son Divyansh, her daughter Lakshita Chadha, 23, and a relative, Yashika Chadha, 22, who was seated behind Divyansh.Divyansh sustained injuries to his head, neck and ribs. Yashika continues to undergo treatment in critical care and is on ventilator support. According to her family, she underwent jaw surgery and is likely to undergo more surgeries.
