[Morbi Bridge collapse] SC asks Gujarat HC to ensure independent investigation

Read Time: 03 minutes

Synopsis

The Morbi bridge collapsed only after a few days it was reopened to the public. Repairs and maintenance work was carried out by Oreva Company on the said bridge. The local court of Gujarat has sent four accused to judicial custody. 

The Supreme Court has asked the Gujarat High Court to monitor the probe for fixing of accountability and ensuring adequate damages for victims of the Morbi Bridge collapse incident that occurred on October 30th, 2022.

A CJI Chandrachud led bench also termed the incident as an "enormous tragedy", as it has claimed around 140 lives.

However, the bench also comprising Justice Hima Kohli refused to entertain a PIL on the issue, while noting that the Gujarat High Court was already hearing the matter.

Recently, the British-era bridge on the Machchhu River in Morbi, Gujarat, collapsed barely a few days after its reopening following renovation.

On November 8, a Division Bench of the Gujarat High Court comprising Chief Justice Aravind Kumar and Justice Ashutosh J. Shastri had registered a Suo Motu PIL in connection with the collapse of the Morbi Bridge.

The High Court took suo motu cognizance based on the News Article published by the Times of India. The Court directed the Registry to register the Suo Moto PIL through Telephonic instruction since the High court was closed on account of Diwali vacations. The registry was directed to place the matter before the division bench.

High Court has also directed the State Government and State Human Rights Commission to file its report within a week.

Top court has thus requested the high court to take up the matter on a periodical basis to ensure a proper probe.