The Gujarat High Court has accepted the bail plea of five accused in the case of drowning of 12 children and 2 teachers while boating in Harni Lake in Vadodara on January 18.

The accused include Paresh Shah and Vatsal Shah of Kotia Project, which held the lake contract at the time of the tragedy; Nilesh Jain and Shantilal Solanki of Dolphin Company, which held the boating subcontract, and the boatman Nayan Gohil.

A detailed order for their release on bail will be issued soon. Earlier, four women accused were granted bail in this case. One more accused is still in jail.

Children and teachers of New Sunrise School, Vadodara, On January 18, were on a school trip, when a major tragedy struck in the Motnath lake of Harani.

On the boating ride, more people than capacity were boarded, resulting in a boat overturning with 23 students and 4 teachers on board. Of them, 12 students and 2 teachers lost their lives.

The Gujarat High Court had taken a suo moto cognizance of the same, and had also ordered the action against then municipal commissioner, who awarded the boating contract to Kotia Project. The hearing for which is still ongoing.

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