Gujarat HC's Tough Questions To State On Morbi Bridge Collapse, Seeks Details Of Action Taken
It comes days after the recent bridge collapse in which 135 people were killed at Morbi in Gujarat.
New Delhi: The Gujarat High Court on Tuesday raised the question of the Ajanta Group receiving a contract while not complying with the law to the state government and has requested a response on this. Additionally, it has ordered the state government to provide jobs for the family of the dead and instructs them to produce all the files to the court. It comes days after the recent bridge collapse in which 135 people were killed at Morbi in Gujarat.
Morbi bridge collapse | Gujarat HC frames issue regarding the failure of compliance of law while allocating contract to Ajanta group, seeks a reply from the state govt. It also directs to produce all files&asked state govt to make arrangements for jobs for kin of deceased persons
— ANI (@ANI) November 15, 2022
A suo motu PIL addressing the Morbi bridge collapse tragedy was being heard by a bench consisting of Chief Justice Aravind Kumar and Justice Ashutosh J Shastri.
On October 30, a suspension bridge over the Machchhu River in the Gujarati town of Morbi collapsed, killing more than 130 people, including women and children.
The Morbi civic organisation was accused of "acting smart" by the high court after the authorities did not appear at the hearing. The court ordered Morbi, the chief district judge, to appoint a bailiff to notify the civic body.
A sealed envelope containing all contract documents dating back to the first day was requested by the court from the government.
The Chief Justice further questioned how such a significant agreement could be finalised in just one and a half pages.
The HC wanted information on the measures taken after finding that the municipality had violated the statute prima facie.
The state government has also been tasked with finding employment for the surviving family members of the deceased.
The matter will also be heard by the court on Wednesday.
On November 7, the high court sent letters about the tragedy of October 30 to the state administration and the state human rights commission, asking for an update.
Police have so far held nine people, including four members of the Oreva group, and have launched a lawsuit against the companies responsible for the building's upkeep and management.
(With ANI Inputs)
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