Morbi bridge collapse:’Act of God’, says Oreva group manager in Court, reveals advocate

Even after the death of over a hundred people, the accused people are not shying away from making irrelevant statements. One of the accused managers of the Overa company claimed “Act of God” in the court is the reason behind the tragedy, revealed the Additional Public Prosecutor of the case. Advocate HS Panchal said, “One of the two managers of Oreva company (that have been arrested) told the court that it is an ‘Act of God’.” Another major revelation was made that the cable wires of the bridge were not in a condition to be opened for the general public as they were rusted.

Advocate HS Panchal further said, “In the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) report, the Investigating Officer (IO) said that the cable (of bridge)was rusting away. The Investigating Officer says that only flooring of the bridge was done and the cables were not changed, oiling-greasing also wasn’t done.”

When questioned about the accused’s specifics being held by police today, Panchal responded, “Two of the four people taken into police custody are managers at Oreva Co., while the other two worked on the bridge’s fabrication. Security guards and ticket sellers make up the other five people who were taken into custody by the court.”

“In the report, the Investigating Officer (IO) stated that the tender process did not take place and contract was directly allotted,” Advocate Panchal further said.

Speaking on the ongoing investigation, Rahul Tripathi, SP Morbi, said, “We are questioning all the four accused in our custody and we are trying to establish the liability of the different kinds of lapses in the bridge renovation. We are doing a thorough investigation and if anyone’s role comes forward, he or she will be booked and arrested.”
He added further, “Yes, We have given a scientific report to the court but details of the same can’t be shared with you at this stage as this will hamper our investigation.”