Thrippunithura firecracker blast: Kerala High Court seeks State's response on plea by residents for compensation

The Kerala High Court on Thursday sought the response of State authorities to a plea filed by residents living near Puthiyakavu Bhaghavathi Temple seeking compensation for the damages caused to their houses and other properties due to the explosions that occurred on February 12 in connection with the temple festival [Gopinadhan C & Ors. v. State of Kerala & Ors.]..Justice Viju Abraham admitted the petition and issued notice to the State authorities as well as the temple's management committee, devaswom and the Vadekkeppuram NSS Karayogam.Justice Abraham also directed the government pleader to get specific instructions as to who would be qualified to assess the damage to the properties of the petitioners. .The petitioners, who are residents of Choorakkadu Thekkumbhagam, alleged that a huge quantity of explosives were illegally transported and kept in a store house at the temple by the temple's management committee, devaswom and the Vadekkeppuram NSS Karayogam though they did not have any license to store, transport or use explosives.Despite that, they still transported and stored firecrackers without taking any safety measures, the petitioners submitted.The explosion occurred while unloading the firecrackers and it killed two persons, injured over ten persons and damaged houses and other properties within a 1 kilometer radius of the blast."It is to be noted that, the explosive were stored in a densely populated area without adhering to any of the mandatory provisions of law... Windows, doors, all glass materials including crockery item, lights, wardrobes, and kitchen cupboards etc were all broken and destroyed. Roof tiles, asbestos sheet were also broken. Further, sharp objects including glass materials pierced through a few of the petitioners’ body causing bodily injury as well. The sound of explosion was trembling and colossal that many were taken to hospitals due to bleeding from ears as well as other complications," the plea explained. According to the petitioners, the incident occurred not merely because of the actions of the persons who transported and stored the explosive but also because of dereliction of duty on the part of the State government and its instrumentalities..Therefore, they said that directions should be issued to the State government to assess the damages caused to the petitioners on account of the explosion and they should be given adequate compensation for the same. They also sought compensation to the tune of ₹1 lakh towards the mental agony suffered by them.Further, the petitioners contended that directions should be issued to the State government and various concerned authorities to ensure that no display, transportation or storage of fireworks is carried out at the temple premises without following the provisions of the Explosives Act of 1884 and the Explosives Rules of 2008.The petitioners are represented by advocates MH Asif Ali , S Muhammed Haneef, Aravind T Ramesh, Rajana Jose and KM Fathima.