'We Expect Strict Action': Gujarat HC Takes Suo Moto Cognisance Of Morbi Tragedy, Issues Notice To State Govt

The Gujarat High Court has sought a status report on the matter by November 14. The collapse of the British-era suspension bridge in Morbi on October 30 claimed 135 lives.

The Gujarat High Court on Monday took suo motu cognisance of the Morbi bridge collapse tragedy, issued notices to the state government and local authorities, and sought a status report on the matter by November 14. The collapse of the British-era suspension bridge in Morbi on October 30 claimed 135 lives.

A division bench of Chief Justice Aravind Kumar and Justice Ashutosh Shastri issued notices to the Gujarat government through the chief secretary, state home department, commissioner of municipalities, Morbi municipality, district collector, and State Human Rights Commission and relisted the matter on November 14.

It also sought a status report from the chief secretary and home secretary by next Monday when the matter will come up for hearing. The State Human Rights Commission has also been directed to file a report on the matter by November 14. Based on a newspaper report, the court took suo motu (on its own) cognisance of the incident.

The state High Court prior to the beginning of the proceedings paid tribute to the people, who died in the mishap. "All the judges of the High Court including the Chief Justice, Advocate General, Solicitor General, Government Pleader and all the government lawyers paid their respects," news agency ANI reported. 

Earlier, the Gujarat Police had filed a First Information Report under IPC sections 304 and 308 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) in the bridge collapse tragedy. The Gujarat government constituted a five-member committee to probe the bridge collapse incident.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel visited the bridge collapse site in Gujarat's Morbi on November 1. The Prime Minister met those who were involved in rescue and relief operations at the Machchhu river bridge collapse site. PM Modi and Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel visited the Civil Hospital in Morbi to meet the injured.

At least 135 people, including women and children, were killed and over 100 are receiving treatment for their injuries sustained after a cable suspension bridge in Morbi town collapsed on Sunday, plunging people into the Machchhu River.

(With agencies' Inputs)