01:07
Oreva group offered compensation for Morbi bridge accident, accepted some mistakes
The Orewa Group was responsible for the operation and maintenance of the British-era suspension bridge, which collapsed, killing 135 and seriously injuring 56 others.
Rejecting the bail plea, Principal District and Sessions Judge PC Joshi noted that Patel played an active role in the events that led to the tragedy.
The court noted that the Oreva Group had awarded the work of renovation of the bridge to a firm that did not have the necessary technical knowledge, and did not take any tests or expert advice before opening the structure to the public, NR Jadeja, counsel for the victims, told the court. Went. from reporters.
Patel’s bail plea, filed weeks after the court rejected his interim bail, was opposed by the state government and the victims’ family members who sought compensation to the victims as per the directions of the Gujarat High Court. Was.
Patel has been shown as the main accused in the charge sheet filed by special investigation team (SIT) is probing the matter.
The bail pleas of the other accused were earlier rejected by the same court.
The SIT had filed a supplementary charge sheet against Patel on March 10, and thereafter the case was handed over to the Sessions Court for trial against him and nine other accused.
The SIT had filed a chargesheet on January 27 against nine accused arrested earlier in the case. At that time Patel was shown a fugitive. He later surrendered before a court and was arrested on 31 January.
Accused booked under sections 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 308 (attempt to commit culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 336 (act endangering human life), 337 (causing hurt to any person by any rash or negligent act) Has been recorded. and 338 (causing grievous hurt by rash or negligent act). Indian Penal Code (IPC).
(With PTI inputs)