Gujarat HC holds Morbi civic body officer responsible for bridge collapse

Gujarat High Court Chief Justice Arvind Kumar on Thursday held

Morbi Nagar palika Chief Officer S.V. Zala responsible for the October 30 bridge collapse which claimed 135 lives.

“The Morbi Nagar palika Chief Officer S.V.Zala is prima facie guilty of dereliction of duty and even the affidavit filed by the nagar palika lacks details,” a division bench of Chief Justice Arvind Kumar and Justice A.J. Shastri observed.

It also sought a detailed report on similar bridges in the state and its status report within 10 days and initiated suo motu public interest litigation in the incident.

During the hearing, the court opined, “We are not satisfied with the compensation amount paid to the families of deceased, a family should get at least Rs 10 lakh compensation.”