Three years ago it was a Sunday on this day. Locals of Morbi and visitors were enjoying the landmark hanging bridge during Diwali vacation. Over 165-year-old bridge that was just reopened after repairs collapsed all of a sudden. One hundred and thirty-five lives were lost.
Though the Morbi Sessions Court has rejected the discharge applications of the seven accused, including that of Jaysukh Patel, earlier this year, the families of the victims are still awaiting justice. Among those who lost lives included children. October 30, 2022 won’t be ever forgotten.
The charges haven’t been framed and the trial is expected to begin in June 2026.
Constructed in 1879, the British era bridge was handed over to Ajanta Oreva Company for operations and maintenance. Patel, managing director, heads the company that has a name in the fields of clocks and now manufactures many more gadgets. Deepak Parekh, a manager, is also one of the accused.
Charges were to be framed against the accused but this could not be done due to a stay granted by the Gujarat High Court. Patel is out on bail given by the Supreme Court.
The victims are fighting a legal battle in the High Court to prosecute the accused under IPC 302 instead of IPC 304. Their application in the Supreme Court for a CBI inquiry is pending.
To the utter surprise, the Mobri Municipality officials claimed that they were not aware that the bridge was reopened for the public.
There was a heavy rush due to Diwali vacation and the guards present at the bridge started issuing tickets from either side of the marvel without realising that perhaps the bridge might not be able to bear the load.
After the tragedy, it was also being probed whether the repairs were done properly or not.
The victims’ kin have to be paid an interim amount of Rs 10 crore and Rs 2 lakh to the injured on the instructions of the Gujarat High Courts. The amount will be paid by the Oreva Group.
In 2023, the Group deposited Rs. 14. 62 crore for the compensation
The rescue operations had continued for more than two days and Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited the accident site and met the victims at the hospital.
Also Read: Morbi Bridge Collapse: Court Allows Prime Accused Jaysukh Patel To Enter District https://www.vibesofindia.com/morbi-bridge-collapse-court-allows-prime-accused-jaysukh-patel-to-enter-district/
