After thorough investigation and concluding that the driver was not under the influence of alcohol and that it was an accidental death, the Sessions Court granted bail.
The plea said that there was no evidence to show that a case was made out against Merchant under section 304(2) (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) of the IPC.
Seeking bail, Merchant had told the court in his bail application that the police had not made a urine report that purportedly showed no alcohol content, a part of its chargesheet in the case.
Merchant’s own friend Riya Bhatia is a witness, too. She has stated that on reaching Worli Sea Face, Merchant picked up speed. She said she asked him to slow down as she was frightened but he did not pay heed.