SC to hear PIL seeking judicial probe into Gujarat's Morbi bridge collapse

New Delhi: On Tuesday, the Supreme Court announced that it would schedule a PIL asking for the creation of a judicial commission to investigate the Morbi bridge collapse tragedy in Gujarat for a hearing on November 14.

In accordance with the most recent reports, 134 people have already died as a result of the collapse of the British-era bridge across the Machchhu river in Morbi, Gujarat on Sunday.

"You are very quick. What are your prayers," a bench comprising Chief Justice Uday Umesh Lalit and Justice Bela M Trivedi said when lawyer Vishal Tiwari mentioned his PIL on the issue for an urgent hearing.

"I am seeking a judicial enquiry by a panel headed by a former Supreme Court judge," the lawyer said.

The bench then said that the PIL would be listed for hearing on November 14.

Tiwari, in the PIL, said the accident leading to the collapse of the bridge resulting in more than 134 casualties, depicted the negligence and utter failure of government authorities.

Over the past decade, various incidents have taken place in our country wherein due to mismanagement, the lapse in duty, and negligent maintenance activities, there have been cases of huge public casualties which could have been avoided, the PIL said.

The more than a century-old bridge on the Machchhu river in Morbi, located around 300 km from the state capital Gandhinagar, reopened five days ago after extensive repairs and renovation.

It was crammed with people when it collapsed around 6.30 pm on Sunday.

The death toll in the bridge collapse incident has gone up to 134, a senior police officer said.

With PTI inputs