A total of 135 people were killed on October 30, when a suspension bridge above the Machchhu River in the Morbi district collapsed.
Of the arrested nine accused, two belong to the Oreva group (a Gujrat-based electrical appliances manufacturer) which is under scanner after allegedly opening the suspension bridge in Morbi without informing the local municipality on Gujarati New Year’s day. Oreva group was given the contract for the maintenance of the century-old suspension bridge.
Morbi court has sent four accused in the case to police custody till Saturday and the other five have been sent to judicial custody. Out of four persons in custody, two are the managers of the Oreva company, while the other two are people working for the fabrication work contractor.
The lawyers have reportedly taken this stand to show their support for the next of kin of those who died in the Morbi mishap. Commenting on their move, AC Prajapati, senior advocate, Morbi Bar Association said, “Morbi Bar Association and Rajkot Bar Association have decided to not take the case of nine people arrested in the Morbi tragedy and represent them. Both the Bar Associations have passed this Resolution.”