After preliminary inquiry into Varanasi flyover tragedy, in which 18 people died and many others were injured, the gross neglect on the part of UP Bridge Corporation officials came to light. As a subsequent action, the government has booked those who were working on the site.
According to Varanasi SSP, R.K. Bhardwaj, a case has been filed against 18 people of the Corporation, including officials, workers and the contractor who was awarded the contract. A case of culpable homicide and not of intentional murder has been registered against these persons.
The case was filed by the roadways police.
With the progress of the investigation, there is a possibility that noose will tighten around some more officials and employees.
A three-member committee has been constituted to probe the matter, which will submit its report to the chief minister soon.
The committee has already inspected the site and collected the samples which have been sent to IIT Roorkee, for investigation.
In the wake of the tragedy, the Corporation has decided to examine all bridges and flyovers which are under construction.
After the incident, the Bridge Corporation officials and UP police engaged in a blame game. Corporation MD, Rajan Mittal, claimed that during the construction the Corporation had asked the district police to implement the route diversion for the traffic but the police paid no heed to it. However, the district police maintain that they have not been told about the route diversion.
According to DIG (law and order) Praveen Kumar Tripathi, all these allied aspects like diversion of route and maintaining security norms are the responsibility of the organisation which executes work there.