Morbi tragedy: FIR against bridge and operation maintenance agencies, say Police

Police have registered an FIR on charges of culpable homicide against agencies given the task of maintenance and operation of the bridge in Gujarats Morbi city which collapsed killing 134 people officials said on MondayMorbi Municipalitys chief officer Sandeepsinh Zala told reporters on Sunday that the citybased clocks and ebike maker Oreva Group was given the contract for the renovation and operation of the bridgeMorbi Superintendent of Police SP Rahul Tripathi said some people have been called for preliminary questioning after the registration of the FIR on Sunday nightNo one has been arrested or detained so far in connection with the bridge collapse incident he saidAt least 134 people were killed after the suspension bridge on the Machchhu river in Morbi collapsed on Sunday evening according to policeAlso read CEC wants social media platforms to play proactive role in flagging fake newsIn the First Information Report FIR lodged at Morbi B division police station on Sunday night police have shown agencies responsible for maintenance and management of the hanging bridge as the main accused along with others whose names emerge during the course of investigationThe case was registered under Indian Penal Code Sections 304 punishment for culpable homicide not amounting to murder and 308 attempt to commit culpable homicideThe FIR lodged by B division police inspector Prakash Dekivadia stated that the bridge over the Machchhu river in Morbi town was not in use for nearly eight months as the local administration had roped in a private agency for its maintenanceAfter completion of the maintenance the agency opened the bridge for the public on October 26 the FIR said adding that it collapsed at around 630 pm on October 30 killing several people as they fell into the riverAs per the FIR the incident took place because of the callous approach of the agency peopleThe FIR further stated that persons concerned or agencies did not pay attention to the quality of maintenance as well as repair work of the bridgeThe bridge was opened for tourists by the agency despite knowing that their callous approach in the maintenance and management of the bridge may lead to human deaths the FIR statedWe have lodged an FIR and called some persons for questioning We are also trying to establish contact with the Oreva companys staff who were on duty at the bridge yesterday SP Rahul Tripathi saidThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever