Morbi bridge collapse | Gujarat High Court takes suo motu cognizance, issues notice to State government

The collapse of the British-era suspension bridge in Morbi on October 30 claimed 140 lives

Visuals of search and rescue operations after a cable suspension bridge collapsed in Morbi, Gujarat, on October 31, 2022. The Gujarat High Court on November 7, 2022 took suo motu cognizance of the matter. | Photo Credit: VIJAY SONEJI

The Gujarat High Court on Monday took suo motu cognizance of the Morbi bridge collapse incident.

The Chief Justice of the High Court said it was a disheartening incident wherein 100s of citizens died an untimely death. The court sought a report from the State in 10 days regarding the steps taken so far.

Watch | (Trigger warning) Morbi bridge collapse, as it happened

The collapse of the British-era suspension bridge in Morbi on October 30 claimed 140 lives.

A division Bench of Chief Justice Aravind Kumar and Justice Ashutosh Shastri issued notices to the Gujarat government through the Chief Secretary, State home department, commissioner of municipalities, Morbi municipality, district collector and State Human Rights Commission and relisted the matter on November 14.

It also sought a status report from the chief secretary and home secretary by next Monday when the matter will come up for hearing.

In pictures | Morbi bridge collapse

Rescuers search for survivors on October 31, 2022, a day after a suspension bridge collapsed in Morbi town of Gujarat.

The old suspension bridge over the Machchhu river that collapsed in Morbi district on October 30, 2022 was reopened without safety certificate and local civic body’s approval. An FIR has been registered under IPC sections 304, 308.

People gather as rescuers search for survivors on October 31, 2022, a day after a suspension bridge collapsed in Morbi, Gujarat. It has emerged that the bridge was reopened after the repair work done by a private trust and fitness certificate was not submitted to the local civic body while reopening it.

Rescue operation underway on October 31, 2022, a day after the collapse of a suspension bridge over the Machchhu river in Gujarat's Morbi district. This is a British-era bridge which was recently repaired by a private trust.

NDRF personnel conduct a search and rescue operation early on October 31, 2022 after an old suspension bridge over the Machchhu river collapsed in Gujarat's Morbi district.

NDRF personnel assist a victim during a rescue operation on October 31, 2022 after an old suspension bridge over the Machchhu river collapsed in Morbi district.

Family members and relatives near the bodies of victims at Civil Hospital in Morbi district on October 31, 2022.

Armed Forces personnel deployed at the site during a rescue operation after the collapse of a suspension bridge over the Machchhu river in Morbi district on October 31, 2022.

1/3

The State Human Rights Commission has also been directed to file a report in the matter by November 14.

The court took suo motu (on its own) cognisance of the incident on the basis of a newspaper report.

(With inputs from PTI)