The Gujarat High Court in the case observed wherein it has been submitted by the Gujarat state government as well as the Oreva Group that since the suo moto PIL pertaining to the Morbi Bridge Collapse incident in October 2022 which took away the lives of 135 people and has served upon its purpose, it being the time to give a quietus to the matter.
The bench comprising of Acting Chief Justice AJ Desai and Justice Biren Vaishnav was hearing the present case.
In the said case, the bench inquired about what remains to be done in the matter, the counsel, Senior Counsel Nanavati appearing for the Oreva group (which managed the Bridge), whose top officials are currently in jail in connection with the bridge collapse case submitted that the matter may be laid to rest as it has already been submitted by the company that the amount as it is being ordered by the High Court with the Gujarat State Legal Services Authority.
Further, it has been submitted by the Senior Counsel that the amount or compensation (Rs 10 lakh as an interim compensation to each of the 135 deceased’s kin, and Rs 2 lakh each to the 56 injured victims) is being deposited. Thus, the court suspended Morbi Nagarpalika. Thus, the chief officer is also being suspended those who are in the (Oreva) group, which includes the managing director who is in judicial custody so as such the purpose is served.
It has also been submitted by the counsel, Advocate General Kamal Trivedi before the court that the matter be given a quietus as the proceedings which are initiated under Section 263 of the Municipalities Act, 1962 and the same being against the Morbi Nagarpalika and the Nagarpalika has been superseded and the then Chief Officer and the Administrator have already been appointed.
However, the bench adjourned the matter for July 10 wherein directing that the amount deposited by the Oreva group be disbursed as per the High Courts March 9 order.
Therefore, the 141-year-old suspension bridge which is hanging over the Machchuu River was reopened two weeks ago (before the bridge collapsed on October 30) after the repairs and the maintenance by the Oreva company.
The counsel, Advocate General appeared for the state.
The counsel, Senior Advocate Nirupam Nanavati, represented the Oreva group.