Bail for 31 accused in Puttingal fireworks tragedy

Kochi: Kerala High Court on Monday granted bail to 31 accused in the case relating to the Puttingal fireworks tragedy  that claimed 110 persons. Pointing to the apathy of revenue  and police officers,  Justice P. Ubaid observed,  “it was not known what action the government has so far taken against the police and revenue officers.”  The accused have been in judicial custody for about three months and the statutory period of 90 days would expire soon.

The court asked the petitioners to execute a bond of Rs 1 lakh each with two solvent sureties to the like sum and  surrender their passports. The court observed that the petitioners cannot be indefinitely detained in judicial custody.  “Continued detention of the petitioners in custody would cause miseries and hardships to them. The detention is not necessary as the probe is over,” the court said. 

The prosecution is not still ready with the final report. Most of the accused are local residents, and there is nothing to show that they would abscond from the legal process, if they are released on bail.   The accused in the incident that occurred on April 10 include the temple authorities.