Iskcon flyover tragedy: Tathya Patel walks out on bail after nearly 3 years in jail

Ahmedabad: Nearly three years after a speeding car tore through a crowd on Iskcon flyover, killing nine people, the main accused, Tathya Patel, walked out of jail on bail. He was released from the Sabarmati Central Jail in Ahmedabad on Wednesday evening after the Supreme Court granted him regular bail last week. He had spent two years, 10 months and 14 days behind bars. The trial, however, is far from over, and court proceedings will continue.His father, Pragnesh, arrived at the jail in an SUV to receive him. Wearing a cap and avoiding interaction with reporters waiting outside, Tathya left the prison premises and headed home with his father.The Supreme Court had granted him regular bail on May 27. As part of the conditions, the apex court directed Patel to deposit Rs 1 crore before the trial court to establish his bona fides. After the required legal formalities were completed, the release order was submitted to jail authorities on Wednesday, paving the way for his release.However, the bail comes with strict conditions. Patel cannot travel abroad and his passport will remain in the custody of authorities. The court has also directed him not to indulge in any similar activity while the criminal trial remains pending.Patel also remains barred from driving. His driving licence had earlier been suspended for life by the Regional Transport Office (RTO) following recommendations from Ahmedabad traffic police. This means he is no longer legally permitted to drive any vehicle anywhere in India.The case relates to the Iskcon flyover tragedy, one of Ahmedabad’s deadliest road accidents in recent years, which took place on July 20, 2023. Police alleged that Patel was speeding in a luxury car, when it ploughed into a crowd gathered at the site of an earlier accident on the bridge. Nine people were killed and several others sustained injuries in the crash.The investigation that followed was extensive. According to the chargesheet filed in 2023, the prosecution relied on 14 documentary pieces of evidence, 15 forensic reports and statements from 191 witnesses to build its case against the accused.Timeline of eventsJuly 20, 2023: Accident on Iskcon flyover leaves nine deadJuly 27, 2023: Chargesheet filedAug 18, 2023: Tathya Patel granted interim bail for the first timeAug 24, 2023: The interim bail is cancelledOct 4, 2023: Ahmedabad rural court rejects discharge applications filed under two chargesOct 21, 2023: Ahmedabad rural court rejects Patel’s application seeking discharge from IPC Sections 304 and 308Aug 23, 2024: Following his grandmother’s death, the rural court grants him temporary bailDec 3, 2024: Ahmedabad rural court rejects his plea for regular bailMay 2025: Gujarat high court grants Patel four-day temporary bail for his mother’s treatmentJune 2025: Ahmedabad rural court rejects his application for regular bailAug 2025: High court rejects his plea for regular bailNov 2025: The Supreme Court directs that charges be framed within 3 weeksNov 18, 2025: Charges are formally framed in the Ahmedabad rural courtDec 1, 2025: Trial begins at the Ahmedabad rural courtDec 3, 2025: HC rejects Patel’s plea seeking discharge from IPC Sections 304 and 308May 27, 2026: The Supreme Court grants regular bail to Tathya PatelJune 3, 2026: Patel walks out of central jail after spending 2 years, 10 months and 14 days in custody