MUMBAI (Wednesday, March 4, 2026) — A Mumbai Sessions Court has granted bail to Valaji Raja Bhushan, a 43-year-old businessman, whose 17-year-old son was involved in a fatal car crash last month. The court observed that, prima facie, there was no evidence to suggest the father had knowledge of his son taking the vehicle out for a drive on the night of the incident.
The Accident and Legal Charges
The crash occurred late on the night of February 5, 2026, near Gate No. 3 of Somaiya College in the Ghatkopar area.
- The Collision: A Kia Seltos, allegedly driven by the minor, rammed into a scooter carrying Dhrumil Patel (33) and his wife, Meenal.
- The Impact: Dhrumil Patel succumbed to severe head injuries on February 15 after ten days on life support. Meenal survived with serious injuries.
- Charges: Following the death, police added charges of Culpable Homicide not amounting to murder under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), alongside sections of the Motor Vehicles Act. The father was arrested on February 10 for allegedly allowing his unlicensed son to drive.
The Turning Point: The Watchman’s Statement
Additional Sessions Judge R.M. Jadhav primarily relied on the testimony of the security guard at the businessman’s residence to grant the ₹50,000 bail.
- The Key Exchange: The guard stated that Bhushan had parked the SUV and handed over the keys at 9:30 PM. Later, at approximately 10:15 PM, the minor son approached the guard and asked for the keys.
- Lack of Consent: The guard admitted to handing over the keys without questioning the teenager because he was the owner’s son. The court noted that when the father later discovered the car missing, he inquired with the guard, supporting the defense’s claim that the vehicle was taken without his permission.
“Prima facie, the material on record thus goes to show that the applicant/accused was not having knowledge of the fact that at the time of incident his son took the vehicle.” — Judge R.M. Jadhav
Opposition from the Victim’s Family
The bail was strongly opposed by Meenal Patel and her legal team, represented by advocate Ruben Mascarenhas.
- Social Media Evidence: The prosecution pointed to the minor’s Instagram account, which reportedly featured videos of him performing dangerous stunts on motorcycles and driving recklessly. They argued the father must have been aware of these habits.
- “Blood Money” Allegations: The victim’s family claimed they were offered ₹40 lakh to settle the case. The defense countered that they had offered to cover medical expenses as a humanitarian gesture while the victim’s side had allegedly demanded ₹15 crore.
Bail Conditions
The court has imposed strict restrictions on Valaji Raja Bhushan:
- Travel Ban: He is prohibited from entering the Ghatkopar area until the trial concludes.
- Reporting: He must report to the Tilak Nagar Police Station twice a week for the first month.
- Surrender: He was directed to surrender his passport and must not leave Mumbai without the court’s permission.
Sources
- Press Trust of India (PTI): “‘Father didn’t know minor son took car’, says court, grants bail to businessman” (March 4, 2026)
- The Times of India: “He did not have knowledge son took vehicle: Bail to father in teen’s car accident” (March 4, 2026)
- Hindustan Times: “Father gets bail in fatal Ghatkopar SUV crash; Court relies on guard’s statement” (March 5, 2026)
- Deccan Herald: “Mumbai accident case: Court grants bail to businessman in crash involving minor” (March 4, 2026)
- Devdiscourse: “Mumbai Businessman Granted Bail in Fatal Car Accident Case” (March 5, 2026)
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