Morbi Bridge Collapse | "Allegations Against Them Are Well-Founded": Morbi Court Sends 4 Accused To Police Custody Till Nov 5

The Bridge which was constructed during British rule had been closed since March for renovation. It was re-opened for the public just four days before it collapsed on Sunday night.

Of the four accused, two are managers of the Oreva company, who were awarded the contract and were in charge of the affairs for the renovation of the bridge, and the other two were given the subcontract for the maintenance of the bridge. They all have been booked under Sections 304,308,336,337 and 114 of the Indian Penal Code.

In its order, the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Morbi presided over by Judge M.J. Khan, at the outset, observed that the allegations against the accused are well founded and if police custody is ordered, then valuable information may be obtained by the police in the present case.

The Court also took into account the allegations leveled against the accused that did not have any expertise or qualification in respect of the renovation of bridges and that the FSL reports suggested the poor quality of work by the company who was awarded the contract.

The Court also noted that the First Information Report stated that the proximate cause for the collapse of the bridge is negligence in the maintenance and management of the bridge along with poor workmanship.

"…it seems from the FIR that a recently renovated pedestrian cable bridge could not withstand the time of four days and collapsed, causing loss of human lives which indicates negligence and poor work on the part of the persons responsible for it. The factual scenario of the case suggests that the investigation has to be conducted on various aspects. The investigating officer has collected various materials as part of the evidence in the case. The present accused persons arrested are alleged to be involved in the management of the company responsible for the renovation of the bridge.inc investigating officer has collected documentary evidence related to the involvement of the companies and their employees. The investigation of the case is at a very nascent stage and the allegations against the accused are well-founded," the Court remarked as it ordered the accused persons to be given in police custody till November 5.

In related news, the Morbi Bar Association on Tuesday passed a unanimous resolution asking its member advocates not to represent any of the accused associated with the Morbi Bridge Collapse incident in which over 130 people lost their lives.

The Bridge which was constructed during British rule had been closed since March for renovation. It was re-opened for the public just four days before it collapsed on Sunday night.

Speaking to Live Law, a member of the Rajkot District Association also confirmed that it has passed a resolution similar to Morbi Bar Association's resolution against representing the accused involved in this incident.

The resolution of the Morbi Bar Association read thus:

"All the lawyers of the association are deeply saddened due to the Morbi Bridge Collapse case...We have decided that no lawyer friends associated with the Morbi Bar Association will act as an advocate for the accused in this incident."

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