Kochi: Kerala High Court on Tuesday asked the police to inform the progress of probe into Puttingal fire tragedy. Justice P. Ubaid also sought the police to file the latest forensic lab report.
The court, while considering the bail applications of the accused, orally observed that the state government is not taking steps to stop the religious practices like parading elephants and fireworks displays. It noted that the government is afraid to bring in regulations. The court posted the case to May 23 for a detailed hearing.
Crime Branch Special Investigation opposed the bail applications and submitted that the investigation is at its nascent stage. Police submitted, “being temple committee members, each of them had vicarious liability on the decision and activities carried out under the control of the committee.
The petitioner had complete knowledge that a firework display competition would be held even while stating in a permit application that only firework display would not exceed 12 kg. They also misrepresented to the police that they had received legal sanction for the fireworks though in fact they did not obtain such permission.”
The crime branch said as many as 34 accused persons had been arrested so far. It was highly necessary to unearth the source of the explosive substances and the fireworks brought to the temple premises.
