The relatives of the victims of the Morbi suspension bridge collapse have urged the Gujarat High Court to transfer the investigation from Morbi city police to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
They want this because they believe that the investigator is going slow against the office-bearers of the Oreva Group and shielding government officials.
The bridge collapse led to the death of 141 people and injuries to more than 180 others. The incident occurred on October 30, 2022.
The plea has been filed through advocate Utkarsh Dave. It demands quashing of the chargesheet that the police have filed and the trial that is underway before the principal district judge at Morbi.
The HC is likely to hear this application along with suo motu PIL on Wednesday.
Probe ‘biased’
Terming the probe as biased, the applicant contended that though the SIT is tasked with monitoring the probe, glaring lapses have either escaped the investigating authorities or were treated in a casual manner. He also contended that the chargesheet has cited 370 witnesses to ensure that the trial goes on for a long time.
Ajanta Manufacturing Pvt Ltd or Oreva Group has not been made an accused and no document has been seized from the company. The applicant has alleged that the investigation carried out till date does not connect Oreva’s managing director and employees with the incident.
The applicant has also alleged that the investigator is shielding government officials though their negligence contributed to the tragedy.
The investigator has not recorded the district collector’s statement, though the bridge’s repairs and renovation work were done under his supervision. The collector’s abrogation of responsibility by handing over the bridge’s maintenance and operation to the company without technical evaluation was a major lapse.
The Morbi municipality’s chief officer was also responsible for lapses, but he is shown as a witness instead of criminal charges being filed against him. The apathy of these two officials was one of the principal reasons for the tragedy.
Also Read: Lulu Group Buys AMC Plot For Rs 519 Cr
