Supreme Court says Morbi bridge collapse an "enormous tragedy"; asks Gujarat High Court to hold periodical hearings to bring guilty to book

The Morbi bridge collapse in Gujarat which left more than 135 dead and many others injured was an enormous disaster, the Supreme Court said on Monday. .A bench of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justice Hima Kohli, therefore, directed that the Gujarat High Court which is already hearing a suo motu case on the same, should hold periodical hearings."It is an enormous tragedy and this will require a weekly monitoring to see award of contract, credential of party awarded the contract, attribution of responsibility for those guilty. High Court has taken charge else we would have issued notice," the bench orally remarked..The bench eventually directed the High Court to hold periodical hearings."As many as 140 have died out of which 47 are children. several aspects of matter would require periodical references and so that HC is apprised of antecedent facts....We request High Court to take this up on periodical basis," the Court said..The Court was hearing two petitions seeking probe into acts of criminal wrongdoing, the need to affix responsibility against officials of nagar palika and need to ensure that agency entrusted to maintain the bridge are held accountable including to making arrest. .The Senior Counsel Gopal Sankaranarayanan appearing for a petitioner, whose bother and sister-in-law passed away leaving a 9-year-old behind, argued that an investigation independent of the State is required to bring out the truth. “There are also looming elections and that is why it is important to catch the big fish behind the Ajanta Orevva.. He also said that the compensation given to the victims families was not adequate. "₹10 to 15 crores is given for sports, but nothing here. These policies have to be looked into regarding compensation,” the senior counsel contended..On the other hand, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, emphasised that since the Gujarat High Court is seized of a case on the incident, there is no reason for the Supreme Court to entertain petitions on the matter. “What he has argued can be argued before the High Court,” the SG said..The Court, thereafter, granted the petitioners the liberty to approach High Court and intervene in the pending plea."Thus petitioner can either intervene in suo motu case or file plea under Article 226. Liberty granted to petitioner or any other aggrieved individual to approach SC for any relief," the Court directed..[Read live coverage of the hearing below]