Gujarat mishap: Congress chief Kharge seeks probe by retired SC or HC judge

Mallikarjun Kharge. File pic

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday expressed grief over the loss of lives in the Morbi bridge collapse in Gujarat even as he raised questions on the collapse of the bridge that was opened last week. The Congress chief has also demanded an inquiry into the mishap.

"I offer my condolences. An inquiry headed by a retired Supreme Court or High Court judge should be done as to how the bridge collapsed after five to six days after it was inaugurated and who allowed so many people there. All necessary help including compensation should be provided to victims," said Kharge.

Kharge who took charge of the Congress Party last week said that leaders from his party will be reaching Morbi and will offer their assistance.

"Congress leaders have reached there. Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot also reaching there. We will try to help. We do not want to do any politics in this and we do not want to blame anyone right now. When the inquiry report comes out we will see when that happens," Kharge said.

Also read: IN PHOTOS: Several dead as century-old cable bridge collapses in Gujarat

Earlier this morning Congress members offered two minutes of silence for those who died in Morbi while also paying tributes to Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel on his birth anniversary.

"54th day of #BharatJodoYatra began at Shadnagar at 530am. Bharat Yatris paid floral tributes to Sardar Patel & Indira Gandhi, and then observed 2-minute silence in memory of those who died in the Morbi suspension bridge tragedy in Gujarat," Jairam Ramesh tweeted.

According to the latest reports, the death toll in the mishap had gone up to 132 on Monday morning. Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi said that a criminal case has been registered in connection with the incident.

"An investigation has begun today under the leadership of Range IGP," Sanghavi said. Everyone worked all through the night. The Navy, NDRF (National Disaster Relief Force), Air Force and Army arrived at the spot quickly. More than 200 persons have worked the entire night for search and rescue operations," Sanghavi said.

Teams including Army, Navy, Air Force, NDRF, and Fire Brigade conducted a search operation throughout the night to rescue people who had fallen into the Macchu river after the bridge collapsed, as per officials.

After the incident, Chief Minister Bhupendrabhai Patel, Minister of State for Home Affairs Harshbhai Sanghvi, Minister Brijeshbhai Merja, and Minister of State Shri Arvindbhai Raiyani reached the incident spot at midnight and personally observed the rescue operation and gave directions.

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