Supreme Court of India
New Delhi: A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in Supreme Court seeking direction to immediately appoint a judicial commission under the supervision of a retired top court judge to initiate a probe into Morbi bridge collapse.
Plea filed by a lawyer seeks directions to state governments to form committee for survey and risk assessment of old and risky monuments and bridges to ensure environmental viability and safety.
The plea also seeks directions for permanent disaster probe team in states to promptly attend to such tragedies.
A British-era suspension bridge came crashing down, killing 134 people and injuring several others.
The bridge was crammed with people when it crashed at around 6.30 pm on Sunday.
The century-old bridge had reopened five days ago after extensive repairs and renovation.
Meanwhile, police on Monday arrested nine persons, including four from the Oreva group that was managing the Morbi suspension bridge, and filed a case against firms tasked with maintenance and operation of the structure.
Video footage emerged of the moments before Sunday’ evening’s deadly collapse, showing the bridge snapping in a few seconds, taking down scores of visitors seen walking on the swaying British-era structure which reopened five days ago after extensive repair but sans a fitness certificate.
“Nine people have been arrested in the Morbi bridge collapse case. They include two managers and two ticket booking clerks of Oreva group that was managing the bridge,” Rajkot Range IG Ashok Yadav said, informing media of the criminal investigation into the tragedy that has shocked the country.
The death toll in the bridge collapse has mounted to 134, he said.
With inputs from agencies
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