Bopal rave party case: Ahmedabad court rejects bail plea of all accused

In a major development in the high-profile Bopal farmhouse rave party case, the Ahmedabad Rural Court has rejected the bail pleas of all 15 accused, taking a tough stance against them. 

The court observed that serious offences had been registered and that the investigation was still in progress, making it unjustified to release the accused on bail at this stage.

Following the rejection, all 15 accused will now have to approach the Ahmedabad Rural Sessions Court for further relief.

On Sunday, five accused were produced before the court after completing their two-day police remand. The court extended the remand of two accused by another two days, while three others were sent to Sabarmati Central Jail.

Three days ago, police had conducted a late-night raid at a farmhouse in Bopal, busting a rave party where 20 individuals, including 13 foreign nationals, were detained. After their arrest, five accused were remanded to police custody, while the remaining 15 moved separate bail applications.

During the hearing, the state government strongly opposed the bail pleas, arguing that:

• The accused were found with a large stock of liquor.
• A prohibited hookah party was being held, flouting Gujarat’s liquor prohibition laws.
• Some of the accused are foreign nationals, posing a flight risk if released on bail.
• The case involves serious and ongoing investigations into illegal procurement and distribution.

The prosecution further contended that granting bail in such socially damaging offences would send a wrong message to society. Accepting these arguments, the court rejected all 15 bail applications.

Meanwhile, the farmhouse owner Milan Patel, party organiser John from Kenya, and liquor suppliers Anant Kapil and Ashish Jadeja, along with the accused who arranged the hookahs, were produced before the court after their remand period ended.

Police sought further custody of Kapil and Jadeja, stating that investigators needed to trace the source of the liquor, identify other parties where the accused had supplied alcohol, and analyse their WhatsApp chats. 

The court granted a two-day extension of their remand, while the remaining three accused, including the party organizer, were sent to Sabarmati Jail.