Illegal Constructions On Stepwell Caused Indore Temple Tragedy: Kamal Nath Blames BJP

Kamal Nath has threatened that if the illegal constructions are not removed, he will file a PIL in the high court.

Madhya Pradesh Congress Chief Kamal Nath met the relatives of the deceased in the Beleshwar Mahadev temple accident.

Source : Twitter/@OfficeOfKNath

Madhya Pradesh Congress Chief Kamal Nath on Saturday said illegal constructions on the stepwell caused the Indore temple tragedy on March 30 in which 36 people lost their lives, reported news agency PTI. He also threatened to file a PIL in the Madhya Pradesh High Court if these constructions were not removed within seven days.

Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Kamal Nath alleges illegal constructions on stepwell led to Indore temple tragedy in which 36 people lost their lives

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 1, 2023

He said, “This incident is a result of illegal constructions done on the stepwell, which has tarnished the image of Indore in the country and the world,” as quoted by PTI.

Kamal Nath further said, “If these illegal constructions are not removed within seven days, we will file a PIL in the high court to get them removed.”

The Congress leader said the local civic body did not remove the unauthorised constructions on the stepwell due to pressure from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The former Chief Minister stated the Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) did not remove the illegal constructions around the stepwell because of political pressure, reported PTI.

Nath also blamed the state government for not taking quick action, saying that the Army was called in for the rescue operation 12 hours after the mishap. He added it was too late by then.

He said, as quoted by PTI, “Indore is called a 'smart city', but the local administration did not have the necessary equipment to rescue the people who fell into the stepwell after the accident.”

Earlier, Nath visited the accident site of Beleshwar Mahadev Jhulelal temple in Patel Nagar. He said if the Congress is voted to power in the upcoming state Assembly polls, his party-led government would will enact a law for a mandatory security audit of public places in the state, reported PTI.

Earlier today, he also met the relatives of the deceased in the temple accident and consoled them.

इंदौर के बेलेश्वर महादेव मंदिर हादसे में मृत हुए लोगों के परिजनों से मुलाकात की एवं ढाढ़स बंधाया। pic.twitter.com/vQhSqf3KVg

— Kamal Nath (@OfficeOfKNath) April 1, 2023

Around thirty-six persons, including 21 women and two children, died after the floor of the temple caved in on Thursday. A 'havan' (fire ritual) was happening in the temple on the occasion of Ram Navami when the mishap took place.