https://sputnikglobe.com/20221115/high-court-in-indias-gujarat-quizzes-local-council-over-bridge-tragedy-1104227698.html
High Court in India's Gujarat Quizzes Local Council Over Bridge Tragedy
High Court in India's Gujarat Quizzes Local Council Over Bridge Tragedy
Sputnik International
The Gujarat High Court issued summons to local authorities last week after taking on the Morbi bridge collapse case. The October tragedy claimed the lives of... 15.11.2022, Sputnik International
2022-11-15T13:38+0000
2022-11-15T13:38+0000
2022-11-15T13:38+0000
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ndia’s Gujarat High Court demanded direct and detailed answers from the Morbi local council on Tuesday concerning the reopening of the British-era suspension bridge which collapsed in October.Specifically, the court sought information about whether the fitness of the British-era suspension bridge was certified as part of maintenance work before its reopening, and if so, who was responsible for it.The Morbi council had previously granted a 15-year contract to Oreva Group to maintain the 150-year-old bridge. To date, nine people, including two Oreva managers, two contractors hired by Oreva to restore the bridge, two ticketing clerks and three security guards, have been arrested for culpable homicide.“Why was the tender for the repair work of a public bridge not [publicly] floated? Why weren't bids invited?” Chief Justice Aravind Kumar asked at the hearing.The court also directed the Morbi district judge to appoint an overseer to the local council’s summons and noted that some clarifications were needed about the maintenance contract despite an affidavit being issued.After the bench of Chief Justice Aravind Kumar and Justice Ashutosh J. Shashtri took on the case on November 7, it sent a summons to six government departments – the chief secretary, state home department, urban development department, Morbi local council, Morbi district collector and the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) – in order to seek a status report.So far, nine persons – two managers of the Oreva Group, two contractors engaged by Oreva to restore the bridge, two ticketing clerks and three security guards – have been arrested for culpable homicide (not amounting to murder) apart from other sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
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india, gujarat, tragedy, municipality, accident, bridge collapse, bridge collapse, law
india, gujarat, tragedy, municipality, accident, bridge collapse, bridge collapse, law
High Court in India's Gujarat Quizzes Local Council Over Bridge Tragedy
The Gujarat High Court issued summons to local authorities last week after taking on the Morbi bridge collapse case. The October tragedy claimed the lives of 135 people. The state’s chief and home secretaries were asked to file a status report by November 14.
ndia’s Gujarat High Court demanded direct and detailed answers from the Morbi local council on Tuesday concerning the reopening of the British-era suspension bridge which collapsed in October.
Specifically, the court sought information about whether the fitness of the British-era suspension bridge was certified as part of maintenance work before its reopening, and if so, who was responsible for it.
The Morbi council had previously
granted a 15-year contract
to Oreva Group to maintain the 150-year-old bridge. To date, nine people, including two Oreva managers, two contractors hired by Oreva to restore the bridge, two ticketing clerks and three security guards, have been arrested for culpable homicide.
Indian media has reported that in a preliminary hearing, the court alleged that the council’s neglect caused the death of 135 people, adding that local authorities are “acting smart” by not sending officials to represent them despite the summons.
“Why was the tender for the repair work of a public bridge not [publicly] floated? Why weren't bids invited?” Chief Justice Aravind Kumar asked at the hearing.
The court also directed the Morbi district judge to appoint an overseer to the local council’s summons and noted that some clarifications were needed about the maintenance contract despite an affidavit being issued.
"This [contract] was to operate, maintain, manage and collect rent in respect of the suspension bridge. The said period expired on June 15, 2017. Thus the moot question would be: Under this MoU, who had been fixed the responsibility to certify the fitness of the bridge... After the term was over in 2017, what steps were taken by Morbi civic body [local council] and the collector thereafter to float a tender?" the court quizzed.
After the bench of Chief Justice Aravind Kumar and Justice Ashutosh J. Shashtri took on the case on November 7, it sent a summons to six government departments – the chief secretary, state home department, urban development department, Morbi local council, Morbi district collector and the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) – in order to seek a status report.
So far, nine persons – two managers of the Oreva Group, two contractors engaged by Oreva to restore the bridge, two ticketing clerks and three security guards – have been arrested for culpable homicide (not amounting to murder) apart from other sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
