Kerala: About three months after the fire tragedy at the Puttingal Devi temple that claimed over 100 lives, the Kerala High Court on Monday granted bail to all 41 accused as the police failed to file the chargesheet within the allotted period of 90 days.
Over 110 people were killed and more than 1,000 people were injured in the tragedy that occurred at about 3.30 a.m. on April 10 when a spark from an firecracker landed on a building where a huge quantity of powerful firecrackers were stored, setting off massive explosions and a fireball that brought down the structure.
The fire started at a ground next to the temple packed with 10,000 to 15,000 people watching an all-night fireworks display that had been banned by the state government.
Kollam District Collector A Shinemol had clearly indicated to the temple authorities that there will be no permission for the firecracker display.
Earlier, the apex body had denied bail to all accused, including the officials of the temple trust. The High Court judge had asserted that use of fireworks in any religious festival or ceremony had become a very unhealthy practice in Kerala.
“It is high time we banned or controlled the use of fireworks, explosive substances and elephant parades in connection with festivals and ceremonies. No religion will promote or sponsor such explosive ceremonies,” the judge had said.
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