Somayajulu Commission asks govt to respond to counter filed by victims

Rajamahendravaram: Justice C Y Somayajulu Commission constituted to enquire into the Pushkara Ghat incident, which claimed 29 lives during the first day of Godavari Pushkaralu on July 14, 2015, asked the State government to respond on the counter filed on behalf of victims.

The Commission which met here on Saturday postponed its next hearing to September 9 and asked the counsel for government to prepare the reply to the questions raised by the advocate appearing on behalf of victims.Justice Somayajulu along with Madduri Siva Subbarao, who was assisting the Commission, saw video clippings presented by counsel for the government Ch Prabhakar Rao.

The Commission took some questions raised by Muppala Subba Rao – counsel for victims into consideration, and asked the government reply to them before September 9.It also asked the government counsel to submit all the records including Blue Book maintained by police relating to Chief Minister’s visit to Pushkara Ghat on 14 July, 2015. The counsel was asked to submit records showing security arrangements at, around and near Pushkara Ghat detailing length and width of barricades and any changes made.

The Commission asked to file and report the magisterial enquiry conducted by the executive magistrate concerned. It also asked to submit the district collector’s report, which was produced before State Human Rights Commission, AP Lokayukta, Central and State governments.

Justice Somayajulu also asked to file and report the documents that were submitted by the special officers at the time of incident. The Commission specifically asked why the Chief Minister and other VIPs have taken bath at Pushkara Ghat when there were good arrangements at new VIP ghat which is named as Saraswathi Ghat.