On Friday, the Gujarat High Court directed Oreva Group, the entity overseeing the operation and maintenance of the Morbi bridge that tragically collapsed on October 30, 2022, claiming the lives of 135 individuals, to offer employment opportunities or monthly financial support to the families who lost their primary earners.

During the hearing of a suo motu Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on the incident, the division bench comprising Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal and Justice Aniruddha Mayee presided over the proceedings.

Additionally, the court directed the company to offer a two-bedroom residence in the "Parel or Lower Parel area" of Mumbai as compensation to a 23-year-old woman who sustained injuries in the bridge collapse. She currently holds employment at a firm located in the Bandra Kurla Complex in the metropolis.

During Friday's proceedings, the bench urged both the government and the company to accelerate the establishment of a trust dedicated to overseeing the compensation and rehabilitation of the victims.

Regarding the rehabilitation of individuals now facing partial or complete disability, the court emphasized the need for permanent support, stating, "These people must be permanently adopted. They have to be taken care of throughout their lives. This is their (Oreva's) creation. A man-made creation," remarked the Chief Justice.

Advocate General Kamal Trivedi informed the bench that four out of the ten widowed women had accepted Oreva's job offer. The bench was also informed about two families who lost their primary earners in the tragedy. Each family comprises six daughters, three in each, including five minors.

The court directed the company to offer supplementary financial assistance to these children for their education and to cover other essential expenses. Additionally, the bench requested the company to explore options for accommodating widows in job roles or providing them with monthly remuneration if they are unable to work due to any reasons.

While reviewing the government's affidavit, the Chief Justice inquired about a 23-year-old woman who sustained a humerus fracture in the bridge collapse. Mr. Trivedi informed the court that the woman is presently employed with a multinational financial firm in the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) in Mumbai.

In her ruling, Chief Justice Agarwal instructed the Oreva Group to purchase a two-bedroom residence in a desirable location close to the woman's workplace, such as Parel or Lower Parel, as compensation for her injuries.

"Purchase a two-BHK house in any good area. That will be her compensation. Since she works in BKC, Lower Parel is good. We are not joking. She has to be on her own. This will be written in our order," the chief justice said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Trivedi informed the bench that Oreva Group's CMD, Jaysukh Patel, was granted bail by the Supreme Court on Friday.