Drunk driving case:Corp lawyer Gadkar gets bail after 2 months

A sessions court today granted bail to 35-year-old corporate lawyer Janhavi Gadkar, nearly two months after she allegedly killed two persons by ramming her high-end SUV into a taxi on the Eastern Freeway here apparently under the influence of alcohol.
Observing that women have a special status in respect to bail, the sessions court judge Sanjay Patil said, "the investigation into the case is over (and) the objections raised by the prosecution (in opposing the bail) do not hold water."
Following the court order, Gadkar, working as the vice president of legal affairs at Reliance Industries at the time of the mishap on June 10, walked out of the women's prison at Byculla late evening.

The Audi, driven by allegedly sozzled Gadkar, had collided with a cab coming from the opposite direction on the Freeway in the wee hours of June 10, killing two persons including the cabbie. The deceased were identified as Mohammed Abdul Sayyad (55) and Mohammed Salim Sabuwala (50).
Gadkar moved bail plea in the sessions court after the court of Kurla metropolitan magistrate had rejected her plea for relief on two occasions.
The court granted her bail on the surety of Rs 30,000 and directed her to cooperate with the investigation agency and visit the police station whenever called by investigation officer.

The judge also asked Gadkar not to tamper with evidence and not to leave the country without court's permission.

In her argument in court through her lawyer, Gadkar had contented that no purpose would be served by keeping her in jail since investigation in the case is over. However, the prosecution opposed her application saying that her release would send a wrong message in society.
Police had earlier claimed that Gadkar was also involved in at least two road mishaps prior to the June 10 incident and was likely to repeat the offence if released.
They claimed that Gadkar's vehicle had knocked down a pedestrian in early June, but no case was filed against her since the matter was "settled" between her and the victim.