KOLLAM: The judicial probe into the Puttingal disaster that claimed 110 lives and injured over 700 has suffered a major setback after the retired Justice N. Krishnan Nair wanted to step down as the inquiry commission head, for the negligence of the Government. The commission did not have office space, funds, vehicle, and sufficient employees to begin the probe, despite being brought to the government's notice, and chances of bringing out the real culprits behind the disaster now remain bleak.
The state government failed to provide adequate facilities even after its time to submit its report ended. The judicial probe was announced by then Chief Minister Oommen Chandy at an emergency ministerial meeting held at the Kollam guesthouse on the fateful day of April 10. Justice Nair was on April 21, and he took charge on May 2. The commission had also demanded an extension to another six months, but to no avail. A central team under joint chief controller of explosives Dr A. K. Yadav has already submitted its report to the Union industries and commercial ministry.
An inquiry by the crime branch police is allegedly confining the investigation into the temple authorities and those connected with providing explosives for the fireworks. Over 40 persons including the other state labourers working in cracker units also stand accused by the crime branch. The fireworks took place even as the additional district magistrate had ordered to prevent the competitive fireworks at the temple complying with the Explosives Act, which the police allegedly failed to oblige. The district administration had banned the fireworks based on several reports from authorities including revenue and police. The High Court had granted bail to all the 43 accused after three months of the disaster but the real culprits including higher officials behind the laxity still walk free.
