The Additional Public Prosecutor in the Morbi bridge collapse case in Gujarat made a stunning disclosure, alleging that one of the accused managers of the Oreva firm mentioned “Act of God” in court as a cause for the fatal event.
“One of the two managers of Oreva company (that have been arrested) told the court that it is an ‘Act of God’,” said Additional Public Prosecutor, Advocate HS Panchal. Another major revelation came up to the fore that the cable wires of the bridge were not in the ideal condition to be opened for the general masses and were “rusting away”.
“In the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) report, the Investigating Officer (IO) said that the cable (of bridge)was rusting away. The Investigating Officer says that only flooring of the bridge was done and the cables were not changed, oiling-greasing also wasn’t done,” Advocate HS Panchal said. Adding that Prima facie, FSL officer says that it was an old cable.
Asked about details of the accused sent to police custody today, Panchal said, “Out of the 4 people who were sent to Police custody, two are managers at Oreva Co and two others did fabrication work for the bridge. The five others who were sent to judicial custody are security personnel and ticket vendors.”
“In the report, the Investigating Officer (IO) stated that the tender process did not take place and contract was directly allotted,” Advocate Panchal further said.
Gujarat’s Morbi Court on Wednesday sentenced four people to police imprisonment and the remaining five to judicial custody in connection with the October 30 collapse of the century-old suspension bridge, which killed 135 people.
Two of the four people detained by police are managers of the Oreva firm, which opened the bridge to tourists after seven months of repair work, and the other two are fabrication work contractors.
Speaking on the ongoing investigation, Rahul Tripathi, SP Morbi, said, “We are questioning all the four accused in our custody and we are trying to establish the liability of the different kinds of lapses in the bridge renovation. We are doing a thorough investigation and if anyone’s role comes forward, he or she will be booked and arrested.”
He added further, “Yes, We have given a scientific report to the court but details of the same can’t be shared with you at this stage as this will hamper our investigation.”
