Morbi Bridge Collapse: SC To Hear Plea on Judicial Probe Today

The Public Interest Litigation filed by advocate Vishal Tiwari will be heard by a two judge bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice Hima Kohli. 

The suspension foot-bridge over Machchu river in Morbi which collapsed on October 30.

Source : PTI File Photo

New Delhi: The Supreme Court will today hear a petition seeking the constitution of a judicial committee to probe into the Morbi bridge collapse which claimed over 130 lives, reported news agency PTI. The Public Interest Litigation filed by advocate Vishal Tiwari will be heard by a two-judge bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice Hima Kohli. 

The plea claims that the accident depicted negligence and utter failure of the authorities, the report added. 

On November 1, Tiwari had listed the matter for urgent hearing, and the apex court had said that it would take up the matter soon. 

"From the past decade, various incidents have taken place in our country wherein due to the mismanagement, lapse in duty, and negligent maintenance activities, there have been cases of huge public casualties which could have been avoided," Tiwari has said in his PIL.

In his plea, Tiwari has sought the constitution of a judicial commission under the chairmanship of a retired judge of the apex court to initiate a probe into the matter.

The plea has also sought directions to the states to form a committee to survey and conduct an assessment risk of old and risky monuments and bridges to ensure environmental viability and safety.

It has also sought direction to the states to constitute a construction incident investigation department so that fast and prompt probes can be done whenever such incidents occur.

"The incident at Morbi has shocked the country wherein due to the utter lapse and negligence on part of government authorities along with the negligence and fault in duty by the private operator has resulted in severe violation of fundamental rights of the people under Article 21 of the Constitution of India," it alleged.

The century-old suspension foot bridge over the Machchu river at Morbi, 300 kilometres from the state capital Gandhinagar, snapped at around 6:30 pm on October 30 when it was crammed with people. The bridge had reopened after extensive repairs and renovation.