[rti4empowerment] "Kerala HC directs govt to probe Sabarimala stampede" - Considering indifferent attitude of the State Machinery to implement recommendations, SIT by Kerala HC appears justified to establish political accountability..

Dear All,

This has reference to the media news:

"Kerala HC directs govt to probe Sabarimala stampede"

Considering the indifferent attitude of the State Machinery to implement recommendations during the last about fifteen years to avert such tragedies, forming Special Investigation Team by Kerala HC to look into the action taken by successive Chief Ministers & Chief Secretaries / Secretaries Planning / District Collectors appear justified to establish the much needed political accountability.

Unsafe acts committed under unsafe conditions are the primary cause of accidents and this appears to be a typical case of knowingly allow the unsafe conditions to prevail. That being the case axe falling on three Police Officers, who are reportedly suspended, appear unjustified and outrageous when action not taken by the administration to avert such a tragic situation.  

For India to shed tag of mismanaged and corrupt country, establishing political accountability and the accountability of the highest level bureaucratic machinery, that has largely remained outside the purview of accountability towards citizens, is the need of the hour. Therefore, Special Investigation Team by the HC appear justified with State Machinery being responsible by criminal negligence for more than a decade.

Hope, higher level judiciary, that has been facing allegations of nepotism, abuse of power, corrupt practices, irregularities and also corruption, will rise to the occasion to deliver justice to the common man and also for incidental much needed image make over in larger public interest.  

Regards,

--
(Babubhai Vaghela)
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Kerala HC directs govt to probe Sabarimala stampede

17 Jan, 2011 1225hrs IST IANS

KOCHI: A deeply concerned Kerala High Court Monday asked the state government to submit by Thursday a report on the stampede near the Sabarimala shrine in which 102 pilgrims perished. 

A division bench of Justices Thottathil B. Radhakrishnan and P. Bhavadasan, which has handling all cases relating to the devasoms (department which runs the affairs of the temples in the state), took suo motu cognisance of the stampede as the court opened proceedings. 

The court asked the state government to submit a report on what led to the tragedy and also asked whether there was proper coordination between the home, forest and the devasom departments. 

The high court has on several occasions cautioned the state government on the need for conducting the Sabarimala pilgrimage in a proper and planned manner. The division bench appeared displeased the way things are being run with regards to the pilgrimage. 

Successive state governments have ignored two previous reports on the pilgrimage - one prepared in 1992 and the most recent one in 2007 submitted by Justice (Retd) K.S. Paripoornan, who submitted 70 recommendations, none of which has been implemented. 

The Crime Branch of the state police, which has begun its probe, has been stay put at the accident site and has started collecting evidences about what happened at Pulumedu, about 35 km from the shrine where the stampede took place Friday night. 

http://m.timesofindia.com/PDATOI/articleshow/7302956.cms