However, the division bench of Chief Justice Sonia Gokani and Justice Sandeep Bhatt found the amounts to be less and not in consonance with what the Supreme Court had laid down in its judgment in Sanjay Gupta vs State of UP.
In the Sanjay Gupta case, the top court had issued guidelines on the payment of compensation and called for private entities to pay 55 per cent of the compensation to the victims, if such private parties are responsible for any incident.
In view of the same, the High Court ordered Ajanta to pay to ₹10 lakh to kin of deceased and ₹2 lakh to those injured.
“The State has paid an amount of ₹ 8 lakh and the Central government through PM Relief Fund has paid ₹ 2 lakh for the victims. We have noted that the Contractor has offered to pay some compensation, but we think this amount does not match with the apportionment of 55 per cent as ordered by the apex court. Thus, we direct the company to enhance the compensation amount for deceased to ₹ 10 lakh and ₹ 2 lakh for those injured in the incident,” the Court said.
The case concerns the collapse of a 141-year-old suspension bridge known as Jultu Pul in Morbi, Gujarat. The bridge collapsed on October 30, last year, killing hundreds after it was reopened following repairs and maintenance by the Oreva Group. The Gujarat High Court took suo motu cognizance in the matter in November.
Source: Barandbench
