As per the Gujarat High Court (HC), “You are sitting in your air-conditioned workplace, not even trying to think.”
To hold negligent officials accountable and determine the reason for the recent deaths of three lions on the railway tracks in January, the Gujarat HC announced on Tuesday, that it would launch a high-level investigation into the workings of the Indian Railways and the forest department.
The Bench slammed both agencies for their “sketchy” inquiry reports, declaring that the court has no interest in departmental investigations or the termination of low-level employees.
A suo moto PIL regarding the tragic deaths of Asiatic lions is being heard by a bench consisting of Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal and Justice Aniruddha Mayee.
The judges questioned why the department chiefs had not requested an inquiry report on the occurrence and voiced their displeasure with the investigation into the deaths of lions in two different accidents.
The Chief Justice declared that they are forming a high-level committee with the Gujarat Forest and Environment Department secretary and the Ministry of Railway secretary. They will form a committee together with representatives from the forest department and the railways.
They ought to assess the situation, investigate what caused it, and accept accountability for any officers who failed to perform their duties.
The HC persisted in criticizing the departments for their lack of concern, claiming that the police were unaware of the occurrences occurring in their locality.
The fact that three deaths happened between 9th January and 21st January and no one was informed worries the court. Whatever these departments did was the standard procedure known as a departmental inquiry.
However, this was not an ordinary occurrence, according to the court. Higher authorities must consider it. They are unable to resolve any issues on their end. Also, they truly don’t know what should have been done.
The court further stated that there is no passion or effort to resolve this matter in the departments. The fact that every lion-related accident has occurred on a specific stretch between Pipavav and Liliya was noted by Justice Mayee.
Amicus Curiae Hemang Shah brought the railroads’ gauge conversion plan to the court’s attention, pointing out that the railway intended to run trains at 40kmph on the stretch, in contrast to the forest department’s request to keep train speeds at 20kmph.
To follow through on its gauge conversion plan, the CJ pulled up the rails. The railroads’ legal representative stated that without approval from the forest department, the scheme would not proceed.
In response, the CJ stated that there is an utter lack of mental application followed by highly irresponsible court filings.
Further, 26th June 2024, will be the next date of hearing on this matter.