Morbi Bridge Collapse: Oreva Group Promoter Surrenders After Being Named As 'Absconding' In Charge Sheet

Promoter of the Oreva Group, which was in charge of renovation and management of the Morbi bridge, which collapsed in October last year, has surrendered.

The Morbi bridge collapse killed 135 people in October last year.

Oreva Group promoter Jaysukh Patel on Tuesday surrendered to the court in Morbi, Gujarat, in connection with the 2022 bridge collapse case. Earlier in the day, the police named Jaysukh Patel an 'absconding' accused.

On January 27, a 1,262-page charge sheet was filed in the case filed by Deputy Superintendent of Police P S Zala. The Morbi bridge collapse claimed the lives of 135 people in October last year. Patel was accused to have not cooperated in the rescue operations after the incident and was shown as the 10th accused. He had also moved an anticipatory bail plea, fearing arrest.

The charge sheet stated that the Oreva Group was responsible for the management, maintenance, security, tickets and administration of the bridge for 15 years. In 2008, a non-judicial agreement was made for the renovation of the bridge with a payment of Rs 300. However, the contract for the renovation was awarded without any technical assistance and the strength stability certificate of the bridge was not taken from any technical institution. The Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) report mentioned that 22 out of 49 wires were corroded.

The charge sheet alleges that the Oreva Group opened the bridge prematurely for their own benefit and allowed over 400 people to go on the bridge during the accident. The group hired Dev Prakash Solution to renovate the bridge, which was opened to the public on the Gujarati New Year on October 26. The charge sheet highlights the lack of technical expertise and the disregard for safety protocols, which ultimately led to the tragic collapse of the Morbi bridge.

"Jaysukh Patel surrendered before the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) M J Khan which had issued an arrest warrant against him," said Dilip Agechaniya, a lawyer representing victims in the case.

FORENSIC REPORT

An FSL report on the Morbi bridge disaster in Gujarat revealed that the Oreva Group had sold over 3,000 tickets on the day of the tragedy. According to District government pleader Vijay Jani, the group sold 3,165 tickets on October 30 and there was no coordination between the ticket booking offices on either end of the bridge. The FIR reported that at least 250 to 300 people were present on the bridge when it collapsed due to a snapped cable, resulting in 135 deaths. The bridge was only capable of supporting the weight of approximately 125 people at a time.

The Oreva Group was responsible for the renovation and maintenance of the Morbi bridge and hired Dev Prakash Solution to carry out the work. The bridge was opened to the public on the Gujarati New Year on October 26. The prosecution in the case stated that both contractors were unqualified to carry out such repair and renovation work.