File Culpable Homicide Case Against Officials: Sapkal on Bridge Collapse
The recent bridge collapse in Pune, which resulted in the loss of four lives and swept away around 55 people, has sparked widespread outrage and calls for accountability. Maharashtra Congress chief, Harshwardhan Sapkal, has demanded a high-level probe into the incident and urged the state government to fix responsibility and file a case of culpable homicide against the concerned officials.
The bridge, which was known to be in a dilapidated condition, collapsed on a busy day when hundreds of tourists were visiting the Kundamal area, which is a popular destination during the monsoon season. The incident has raised several questions about the negligence and laxity of the authorities in ensuring the safety of the public.
Sapkal, while expressing his condolences to the families of the victims, said that the state government must take immediate action to identify the officials responsible for the tragedy and hold them accountable. He emphasized that filing a case of culpable homicide against the officials would be a necessary step in ensuring justice for the victims and their families.
“Why was the dangerous bridge kept open when it was known that hundreds of tourists visit Kundamal during monsoon?” Sapkal asked, adding that the authorities had clearly failed in their duty to ensure the safety of the public. He also demanded that the government must take immediate measures to repair or demolish all such dilapidated infrastructure in the state.
The bridge collapse has also raised questions about the effectiveness of the state’s disaster management system. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and other rescue teams were deployed to the spot to evacuate the stranded people, but it took several hours for the rescue operation to be completed. The incident has highlighted the need for a more robust and efficient disaster management system in the state.
The incident has also sparked concerns about the safety of public infrastructure in the state. The Maharashtra government has been accused of neglecting the maintenance of public infrastructure, including bridges, roads, and buildings. The collapse of the bridge has raised questions about the efficacy of the state’s public works department and the lack of transparency in the allocation of funds for infrastructure development.
The opposition parties in the state have also demanded a high-level probe into the incident and called for the resignation of the government officials responsible for the tragedy. The incident has sparked widespread outrage and anger among the people, who are demanding accountability from the government.
In the aftermath of the incident, the Maharashtra government has announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the families of the victims and Rs 50,000 to those who were injured. The government has also ordered an inquiry into the incident, but many are skeptical about the effectiveness of the inquiry and are demanding a more thorough investigation.
The bridge collapse is a stark reminder of the need for accountability and transparency in the government’s functioning. The incident has highlighted the need for a more robust disaster management system and the importance of ensuring the safety of public infrastructure. The government must take immediate action to fix responsibility and file a case of culpable homicide against the concerned officials. Anything less would be a betrayal of the trust placed in them by the people.
Source:
https://repository.inshorts.com/articles/en/PTI/7187248d-c047-4c98-bba2-c19c0041a2a7
