Court tells Kerala govt to expedite compensation for Wayanad landslide victims
The court directed Kerala government to ensure prompt ex gratia payments and speedy handover of victims' bodies in the Wayanad landslide, while seeking an explanation on why workers were present at the tunnel project site despite claims that construction had been halted.
The Kerala High Court on Friday directed the state government to ensure the timely disbursal of ex gratia compensation to the next of kin of those killed in the Wayanad landslide and to those injured in the incident.
The court also sought a detailed report on when work at the Anakkompoyil-Meppadi tunnel project site was suspended and questioned why workers were present there if all construction activity had been halted.
A division bench of Justices AK Jayasankaran Nambiar and Preeta AK issued the directions while hearing a suo motu case initiated by the High Court in 2024 following the devastating landslides in Mundakkai and Chooralmala villages in Wayanad that claimed over 200 lives.
The proceedings concern measures for the prevention and management of natural disasters in Kerala. Meanwhile, the death toll in the latest landslide rose to seven on Friday after another body was recovered from the site.
The bench directed the government to ensure that ex gratia payments are released without delay and that the bodies of the deceased are handed over to their families promptly.
It further observed that, for the time being, both the compensation and the medical expenses of those injured could be charged to the tunnel project's account, adding, "We can decide later from whom the amount should be recovered."
During the hearing, the state government informed the court that cadaver dogs had been unable to detect bodies because of the thick muck and slush at the site, forcing rescue teams to rely on manual searches.
It also submitted that all work at the project site, except external activities, had been suspended through an order issued on May 25, and that a subsequent order dated July 5 directed a complete halt to all work.
Questioning the government's stand, the bench asked, "Then what were the workers doing at the worksite?" and directed the state to submit its response before the next hearing.
The landslide occurred on July 7 at the construction site of the Anakkompoyil-Meppadi tunnel project, which is intended to improve connectivity between Wayanad and Kozhikode districts.
The High Court has now sought accountability over the circumstances leading to the tragedy while directing the state to ensure prompt compensation, medical assistance and the swift handover of victims' bodies to their families.
The Kerala High Court on Friday directed the state government to ensure the timely disbursal of ex gratia compensation to the next of kin of those killed in the Wayanad landslide and to those injured in the incident.
The court also sought a detailed report on when work at the Anakkompoyil-Meppadi tunnel project site was suspended and questioned why workers were present there if all construction activity had been halted.
A division bench of Justices AK Jayasankaran Nambiar and Preeta AK issued the directions while hearing a suo motu case initiated by the High Court in 2024 following the devastating landslides in Mundakkai and Chooralmala villages in Wayanad that claimed over 200 lives.
The proceedings concern measures for the prevention and management of natural disasters in Kerala. Meanwhile, the death toll in the latest landslide rose to seven on Friday after another body was recovered from the site.
The bench directed the government to ensure that ex gratia payments are released without delay and that the bodies of the deceased are handed over to their families promptly.
It further observed that, for the time being, both the compensation and the medical expenses of those injured could be charged to the tunnel project's account, adding, "We can decide later from whom the amount should be recovered."
During the hearing, the state government informed the court that cadaver dogs had been unable to detect bodies because of the thick muck and slush at the site, forcing rescue teams to rely on manual searches.
It also submitted that all work at the project site, except external activities, had been suspended through an order issued on May 25, and that a subsequent order dated July 5 directed a complete halt to all work.
Questioning the government's stand, the bench asked, "Then what were the workers doing at the worksite?" and directed the state to submit its response before the next hearing.
The landslide occurred on July 7 at the construction site of the Anakkompoyil-Meppadi tunnel project, which is intended to improve connectivity between Wayanad and Kozhikode districts.
The High Court has now sought accountability over the circumstances leading to the tragedy while directing the state to ensure prompt compensation, medical assistance and the swift handover of victims' bodies to their families.
