Last Update: January 31, 2023, 15:43 IST
On October 30, 135 people, including women and children, died when a British-era suspension bridge built over the Machchu river in Morbi collapsed. (File Image: PTI)
A 1,262-page charge sheet was filed last week in the incident that took place in October 2022, in which 135 people died and many were injured. The Orewa Group was responsible for the maintenance of the British era bridge.
Jaisukh Patel of Oreva Group, accused in Morbi bridge collapse, surrendered in the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate in Morbi on Tuesday.
A 1,262-page charge sheet was filed last week in the incident that took place in October 2022, in which 135 people died and many were injured. The Orewa Group was responsible for the maintenance of the British era bridge.
Patel is reportedly missing since the incident in October and has been named as an ‘absconder’ in the charge sheet.
According to the lawyer representing the victims, Morbi Chief Judicial Magistrate MJ Khan had earlier issued an “arrest warrant” against Patel after receiving an application from the police under Section 70 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
Patel had moved the Morbi sessions court on January 20 for anticipatory bail fearing arrest in the case. Due to non-appearance of the public prosecutor, the hearing was adjourned till February 1.
Nine people, including four employees of the Oreva Group, have been arrested in the case so far. Those arrested include two managers of a Gujarat firm and two ticket booking clerks.
Several lapses were cited by the Special Investigation Team, including no restrictions on the number of persons accessing the bridge, no curbs on the sale of tickets, unrestricted movement on the bridge and carrying out repairs without consulting experts.
According to an investigation last year, clock maker Oreva Group, which carried out “complete and final” repair of the suspension footbridge, allegedly spent only Rs 12 lakh, or six per cent, of the Rs 2 crore allotted.
The group had received a 15-year maintenance and operation contract for the maintenance and operation of the bridge and it was opened after six months of repairs. Patel said on 24 October, a few days before the collapse, that “the bridge is ready and safe to open on the Gujarati New Year.”
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