Himachal HC Questions Delay In Inquiry Amidst Fears Of Cover-Up By Govt.

The HP government told the HP High court that Deputy Commissioner, Mandi, who visited the site of the accident has reported that no warning system whatsoever was found installed at the site and there were no notice boards carrying message of warning etc. “Too much time is being taken by the divisional commissioner to complete his inquiry into the incident,’‘ the court said. It has also asked the government to be prepared for a heavy interim compensation to the families of the victims.

While taking cognizance of the state government efforts to trace the bodies of students, the court expressed dis-satisfaction about the explanations offered in the status reports about the cause of accident saying, “but it leads to nowhere.”  The court also said in case “water was discharged without any warning as alleged, then prima facie it is established that it is not only a case of callousness but a case of grave negligence”.

Not satisfied with the incomplete status report submitted by the government over the tragedy, the Court directed Divisional Commissioner Mandi to conclude and submit an inquiry report by June 19 over opening of Larji dam gates. Before listing the matter for June 19, the division bench directed that besides Divisional Commissioner Mandi, Managing Director HP State Electricity Board, Superintending Engineer (Generation) Larji Project and Resident Engineer Larji Power House to be present in court on 19th June. The engineers also have been directed to bring a detailed report as to how they were manning the barrage / dam and what the mechanism and plan they were following before discharge or water.

The court also sent notice to VNR Vigyan Jyoti Institute of Engineering and Technology, Hyderabad, and has impleaded it as respondent

The government status report also let the court know that the Larji barrage was at full reservoir level (969.50 meters) even prior to opening of the spill way gates on June 8. At 6.15 p.m., the operating staff first opened Radial gate no 5 to 50 cm, released 50 cumecs of water, subsequently it was opened to 1.50 meters and then to 2.50 meters that increased water spillage to 150 cumecs. That caused the sudden surge in river waters drowning the students.