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."
The court was annoyed to see castes mentioned against the names of some of the deceased. On court inquiry, Advocate General replied that if there is any other scheme or programmes under which the family is entitled to get benefit, it helps in identifying.
The Chief Justice has also asked for government files related to the matter and even details on when the SIT report was submitted before the lower court.
"It is high time that all officials who are either monitoring, managing, controlling and administering such bridges across the state should ensure that the bridges in their jurisdictions are in proper condition and if not, remedial actions should be taken."
The matter was kept for further hearing on December 12.
TATA trust agrees to set up skill development centre in TTAADC
With a specific focus on providing hospitality sector courses, the TATA Trust has agreed to set up and develop a state-of-the-art skill development centre in Tripura Tribal Areas and Autonomous District Council (TTAADC).
Viksit Bharat Ambassador: Govt provides ration to population greater than US-EU together, says Ashwini Vaishnaw
Union Minister for Railways, Communications and IT Ashwini Vaishnaw, on Thursday, said that the Modi government’s thrust on inclusive growth is yielding results and it will gain greater visibility in the next few years. He added that this has been possible because of a robust growth framework in place.
EAM Jaishankar takes dig at Canada, says freedom of speech cannot be freedom to support separatism and terrorism in foreign country
Targeting the Justin Trudeau government for giving refuge to pro-Khalistani elements, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar on Thursday said that further deterioration in bilateral ties would eventually result in a big loss for Canada.
Congress, SP neglected refugees over vote bank politics: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi while addressing an election rally in Uttar Pradesh's Azamgarh on Thursday, launched a scathing attack on the Congress, SP and other INDIA bloc parties and accused them of portraying themselves as secular and neglecting refugees over vote bank politics.
NCW summons CM Kejriwal's PS in Swati Maliwal assault case
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken suo motu cognisance and issued a summon to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's Personal Secretary Bibhav Kumar to appear before it on Friday in connection with the allegations levelled by Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal.
Govt slashes prices of 41 medicines
Antacids, multivitamins, and antibiotics are among the medicines that will become cheaper, according to a notification issued by the Department of Pharmaceuticals and National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA).
'If you vote for AAP, I may not go back to jail', ED brings SC's attention to CM Kejriwal's 'appeal'
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday brought to the notice of the Supreme Court statements made by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal appealing to people to vote for Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) if they wished he (Kejriwal) did not return to jail.
Viksit Bharat Ambassador: India added 31,000 km rail network, equal to Germany in 10 years, says Ashwini Vaishnaw
Union Minister for Railways, Communications and IT Ashwini Vaishnaw on Thursday reeled out data to showcase transformative changes in the Indian Railways in the past 10 years of the Modi government while also highlighting its neglect during Congress-led regimes.