Morbi, October 31
Nine persons were arrested on Monday in connection with the collapse of the cable suspension bridge on the Machchhu river in Morbi in Gujarat in which 134 people were killed, police said.
“Those arrested include two managers and two ticket booking clerks of Oreva group that was managing bridge,” Rajkot Range IG Ashok Yadav said.
He refused to elaborate saying the police will soon brief the media.
Police have registered an FIR on charges of culpable homicide against agencies given the task of maintenance and operation of the bridge in Morbi city which collapsed on Sunday evening.
The case was registered under Indian Penal Code Sections 304 (punishment for culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and 308 (attempt to commit culpable homicide).
The 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 maintenance.
Morbi Municipality’s chief officer Sandeepsinh Zala told reporters on Sunday that the city-based clocks and e-bike maker Oreva Group was given the contract for the renovation and operation of the bridge.
Morbi Superintendent of Police (SP) Rahul Tripathi said some people have been called for preliminary questioning after the registration of the FIR on Sunday night.
No one has been arrested or detained so far in connection with the bridge collapse incident, he said.
At least 134 people were killed after the suspension bridge on the Machchhu river in Morbi collapsed on Sunday evening, according to police.
In the FIR, 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 investigation.
The case was registered under Indian Penal Code Sections 304 (punishment for culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and 308 (attempt to commit culpable homicide).
The 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 maintenance.
After completion of the maintenance, the agency opened the bridge for the public on October 26, the FIR said, adding that it collapsed at around 6.30 pm on October 30, killing several people as they fell into the river.
As per the FIR, the incident took place because of the “callous approach” of the agency people.
The FIR further stated that persons concerned or agencies did not pay attention to the quality of maintenance as well as repair work of the bridge.
The 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 stated.
“We have lodged an FIR and called some persons for questioning. We are also trying to establish contact with the Oreva company’s staff who were on duty at the bridge yesterday,” SP Rahul Tripathi said.
Earlier in the day, Rajkot Range Inspector General Ashok Yadav said that the death toll in the bridge collapse incident had gone up to 134.
The state information department said five teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), six platoons of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), a team of the Air Force, two columns of the Army, and two teams of the Indian Navy apart from local rescue teams were involved in the operation that continued through the night.
“The rescue operation is still on,” Yadav said.
Sanghavi told reporters that the state government had formed a committee to conduct a probe into the bridge collapse.
Eyewitnesses said there were several women and children on the British era “hanging bridge” when it snapped, plunging them into the water below.
Apart from locals, people from nearby cities and villages had also come to the bridge on a holiday when it collapsed.
