The Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Vadodara city police on Saturday detained Darmin Bhatani, the last partner of Kotia Project, who was absconding in the Harni boat capsizing case, when he landed at Ahmedabad airport from Bangkok on Saturday. .
Police said Batani fled to Singapore by plane at 11pm on January 18, when his boat capsized on Lake Harni, killing 12 students and two teachers.
Kotia Projects has been awarded a contract by the Vadodara Municipal Corporation to develop and operate Lake Zone, an amusement complex with boating facilities in Harni. Once Batani is formally arrested, all 20 defendants in the case – all partners, contractors and employees of the Kotia project – will be sent to prison.
The SIT said it has started the process of formally arresting him. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Yuvrajsinh Jadeja, who supervises the SIT, said: “We were investigating Batani’s travel history. He had fled to Singapore on the night of January 18. He then migrated to Bangkok. His escape was based on technical information and statements of other defendants. It was confirmed by…
“There was a surveillance notice against the defendants and we also started the process of freezing their bank accounts, which increased the pressure on Batani and forced him to return home and surrender.”
According to the SIT, Mr. Batani holds a 5% stake in the Kotia project and also has a personal contract to operate a zip line in the Harni lake area. “He is also an authorized signatory along with Vatsal Shah (another partner) who is currently in police custody. Once we are granted custody, we will interrogate him together,” Jadeja said.
Police had on Friday sought remand of Vatsal Shah and his family members Nutan Shah and Vaishakhi Shah in court.
In its remand application, the SIT said it had “faced economic losses” due to the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic and set aside safety measures in the lake zone to “overcome the losses and generate more profits.” I tried everything to get it,” he said. This includes hiring trained boat operators and other staff to operate the boating facility.
© Indian Express Private Limited
Date first uploaded: February 18, 2024, 00:55 IST