Morbi bridge collapse case: 2 lawyers’ bodies refuse to represent 9 accused

way2barak, Nov.2: Nine people, including officials of Oreva Group which renovated the Morbi bridge in Gujarat, have been arrested after over 140 people were killed due to the bridge’s collapse. After that, two lawyers’ bodies in Gujarat have decided not to represent the nine accused arrested over the Morbi bridge collapse. The resolution was passed by the Morbi Bar Association and Rajkot Bar Association on Wednesday.

Among the nine people arrested there are two managers of Oreva company, two ticket clerks along with two contractors and three security guards for negligence. The managers and the sub-contractors have been sent to police custody, while the rest are in judicial custody.

An FIR was registered on charges of culpable homicide against agencies who were given the task of maintenance and operation of the bridge. Morbi Municipality’s chief officer Sandeepsinh Zala said the city-based Oreva Group was given the contract for the renovation and operation of the bridge. Oreva had signed a 15-year deal to maintain the bridge but outsourced the work.

Here is the authentic CCTV footage of the Morbi bridge collapse: NOT the old videos that are being made viral to blame the public. Yes, bridge is crowded but to blame crowds would be to shun responsibility for multiple level failures of those involved in ensuring safety. pic.twitter.com/6wVA0xddXl

— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) October 31, 2022

A manager of the Oreva group, one of the nine persons arrested in connection with collapse of a suspension bridge in Gujarat’s Morbi town, sought relief from a local court claiming the tragedy which has claimed 135 lives was an “act of God”, the prosecution said on Wednesday.

The firm had claimed on October 26 that it had roped in experts for the repair work, adding that the material used was built as per specifications by “specialised firms”. After the completion of the renovation, the hanging bridge, originally built in 1887 by the erstwhile Morbi ruler Vaghji Thakor, was thrown open for the public on October 26 by Oreva Group’s Jaysukh Patel and his family in the presence of the media.

Oreva Group, which specialises in the manufacture of CFL bulbs, wall clocks, and e-bikes, was awarded the 15-year contract for the operation and maintenance of the Morbi bridge that collapsed in Gujarat. The company manufactures wall clocks under the popular Ajanta and Orpat brands. Notably, the company’s website has no mention of its construction business.