The issue of the Bhushan Steel ltd's (BSl) callous attitude in ensuring safety and security to its workers has now landed in the Odisha High Court's domain. After the State labour Minister and labour Secretary expressed their "helplessness" in handling the BSl's callousness, two public interest litigation (PIl) petitions were filed in the High Court on Friday.
The petitions, filed by a human rights activist and a civil rights activist, have urged the court to intervene and order judicial probe and a judiciary-guided investigation by any independent agency into the November 13 blast in the Dhenkanal-based steel plant. Both the petitions have suggested for a CBI inquiry and made the investigating agency as one of the respondents.
Human rights activist Prafulla Samantara has challenged the action of the company for not disclosing the actual number of casualties during the mishap and has alleged that the company is getting undue favours from the State Government. His petition was filed through advocate KC Rout.
Giving as many as five grounds, including the laxity of the company for a judicial probe, Samantara has pointed out that the company had blatantly ignored all suggestions and advisories of the Government. He has also urged the HC to order adequate compensation to the families of the victims.
Civil rights activist Nishikant Mishra, in his capacity as the Secretary of the Nationalist lawyers' Forum, has filed his PIl challenging the inaction of the State Government and the BSl authorities for failing to provide due security to the workers, who lost their precious lives.
It may be mentioned that both the PIls have not yet been taken cognisance by the High Court.
NBWs issued against 2 top officials
Dhenkanal: The court of the Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate (SDJM), Dhenkanal on Friday issued non-bailable warrants (NBWs) against two senior officials of the Bhushan Steel ltd (BSl) for not appearing in the court in four different trials.
The NBWs were issued against Rahul Sengupta, Member, Board of Directors, and Satish Tyagi, Senior vice-president. Of the four cases, one relates to the year 2009 and the rest three to 2011.