Kerala High Court Admits Plea Seeking Assessment Of Damages And Compensation In Thripunithura Blast

Justice Viju Abraham today issued notice to the party respondents and sought instructions from the government pleader as to who was the competent authority for assessing the damages faced by the petitioners.

The Counsel for the petitioners submitted that the explosion caused the loss of 2 lives, injury to 10 persons and huge damage to houses and properties that were located nearby and that maintenance works have to be carried out. It was alleged that the explosives were stored in a densely populated area without following any safety measures. It was alleged that the explosion occurred due to the lack of care and dereliction of duty on the part of the temple officials. It was also alleged that the firecrackers were obtained for fire display and were stored in huge quantities without getting permission and licence from authorities under the Explosives Act and rules thereunder.

Further, the Counsel submitted that sharp objects including glass materials were pierced through the body of the victims in the explosion. The plea stated that many persons had to be taken to the hospital due to bleeding from their ears from the sound of the explosion.

Further, it was also argued that the state officials have to take steps to ensure that there would be no display, storage or transportation of explosives without following statutory provisions for conducting fireworks displays in or nearby Puthiyakavu Bhagawathi temple. The petitioners contended that the State must ensure that man-made disasters like this do not take place due to dereliction of their duty.  They also seek compensation of rupees one lakh as mental agony and insecurity suffered from the blast.

The matter has been posted next week for obtaining instructions. 

The plea is moved by Advocates M.H.Asif Ali, S.Muhammed Haneeff, Aravind T Ramesh, Rajana Jose, K.M.Fathima

Case title: Gopinathan C & Others v State of Kerala & Others

Case number: WPC 8202/2024