Guwahati: The Supreme Court of India to direct the appointment of a judicial commission to launch an investigation under the supervision of the former top court judge to initiate a probe into the Morbi bridge collapse incident on November 14.
The petition’s attorney requested an urgent hearing and a bench of Chief Justice of India UU Lalit and Justice Bela M Trivedi scheduled the matter for hearing on November 14.
The lawyer’s petition asked the state governments to establish a commission to evaluate and assess the risk of dilapidated and dangerous bridges and monuments in order to maintain environmental sustainability and safety.
“Direct the State governments to constitute in their respective States a construction incident investigation department so that the fast and prompt investigation could be done whenever such incidents occur and such department shall also have duty to assess and enquire about the quality and safety of any public construction taking place,” the plea said.
The suspension bridge crossing the Morbi Macchu river collapsed on Sunday, leaving over 130 people dead and about 100 injured. According to the allegations, the bridge was shut down for maintenance for roughly 8 months, and the repair work was contracted out to a private organisation.
In connection with the tragic bridge collapse, the Gujarat Police have submitted a First Information Report under IPC sections 304 (Punishment for culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and 308 (Attempt to commit culpable homicide).
A five-member committee has also been established by the Gujarati government to investigate the bridge collapse tragedy.