Gujarat HC reprimands civic body on Morbi accident: Said- they are becoming smarter, be present tomorrow to answer

Posted on 15th Nov 2022 by rohit kumar

The Gujarat High Court has strongly reprimanded the Morbi civic body for the 137 deaths in the Morbi bridge accident in Gujarat on October 30. A bench of Justice Arvind Kumar and Justice Ashutosh J Shastri said during the hearing on Tuesday- "Despite the notice being issued, no one appeared in the court from the Morbi civil body. They are becoming smarter. Tomorrow to answer first." Be present."

 

The next date of hearing on the Morbi accident is November 24, but the Morbi civic body has been ordered to appear in the court tomorrow i.e. November 16.

 

What did the court do for those who died

In the last hearing, the court had asked the Gujarat government to file a report, in which the government had to tell what steps they have taken since the accident. At the same time, a report was also sought from the State Human Rights Commission. The bench also asked the state government whether it can provide compassionate jobs to those whose family's sole breadwinner was killed in the accident.

 

The contract is only one and a half pages, how was the contract given without tender?

During the hearing, Chief Justice Arvind Kumar asked that the contract between the Morbi civil body and the private contractor be only 1.5 pages. No tender was given for the renovation of the bridge. Then why was the contract given without tender?

 

The court has ordered the state government to submit all the files from the first day of the contract to date in sealed envelopes. It has also asked why it did not exercise its powers under Section 263 of the Gujarat Municipal Act. What action has it taken against SV Jala, CEO of Morbi Municipal Committee?

 

Police had reached for rescue in 5 minutes

AG Kamal Trivedi said in an affidavit to the bench that there was a huge crowd of people on the bridge due to Diwali. More than 3,165 people were visiting the bridge daily, while 300 people were present on the bridge at a time. Morbi police, which was about 1.5 km away, reached the site within five minutes and 22 constables jumped into the river to rescue the people.

 

The AG also said that the state government has decided to give an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 5 lakh to the injured. The central government will also pay Rs 2 lakh to those who died and Rs 50,000 to the injured.

 

Also Read: Despite death and mourning in Morbi, why do people want the same bridge as before, will the suspension bridge be built again..?

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