KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Wednesday directed the Director of Explosives to inform the court whether any prohibited substance was found among the explosives used during the Puttingal temple fireworks. The statement should also include details as to whether there was any explosive material used or intended to be used beyond the permissible quantity.
The court ordered that all related aspects of the explosives should be mentioned in the statement so that immediate measures are adopted to prevent such incidents.
A Division Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Thottathil B Radhakrishnan and Justice Anu Sivaraman issued the order based on suo motu proceedings initiated by it on a letter by sitting judge of the High Court Justice V Chitambaresh, the report by District Legal Service Authority, Kollam, and other related petitions. The letter was sent to the Registry seeking to ban use of the high-decibel explosive fire crackers in connection with various festivals and other celebrations.
The Bench held that it would consider the modalities of rehabilitation and compensation for the victims of Paravur fireworks tragedy and also whether there was any deficiency on the part of the disaster management authority in taking measures to prevent the tragedy.
The Kerala High Court asked the State government to inform the court about the progress of the investigation by the Crime Branch into the tragedy on the next day of hearing.
The court also flayed the disaster management authority for not taking effective steps. The disaster management had to take preventive measures.
There is no point in lamenting over the loss after an unfortunate accident. Senior Government Pleader C S Manilal submitted that progress report of the investigation into the tragedy will be filed on Thursday.
Rehab and compensation
The Bench held that it would consider the modalities of rehabilitation and compensation for the victims of Paravur fireworks tragedy and also whether there was any deficiency on the part of the disaster management authority in taking measures to prevent the tragedy.