Thripunithura Temple Blast case: Kerala HC to hear plea seeking assessment of damages, compensation

KOCHI: On Thursday, the Kerala High Court admitted a plea filed by victims of the explosion in a temple in Thripunithura, near NSS Karayogam ground. 

On February 12, 2024, firecrackers and gunpowder were negligently stored without following safety protocols for Puthiyakavu Bhagawathi temple festival fire display. 

The plea stated that on the unfortunate day, in order to perform fireworks display (edikettu) in a tremendous scale, enormous quantities of explosives were illegally transported to the store house located there. 

It is the petitioners case that the Respondents did not have any license to store, transport or use the explosives and in spite of the same, without any safety measures, and in a callous manner, huge quantities of explosives were brought to the store house located in the property owned by the 10th respondent in YMA Road, Thekkumbagham Village. Unfortunately, while unloading the explosives which were brought to the site, an explosion occurred, killing 2 persons and injuring more than 10 people as well as causing huge damage to the properties within 1 km radius. 

It is to be noted that, the explosive was stored in a densely populated area without adhering to any of the mandatory provisions of law. Extensive damage was caused to several buildings including the houses situated within close proximity to the place of occurrence. 

The unfortunate incident occurred not only due to the illegal action on the part of Respondents but also on account of the dereliction of duty on the part of the State and its instrumentalities, the plea stated. And so, the plea seeks assessment of damage and payment of compensation of Rs 1 lakh as well to prevent illegal storage, transportation of explosive as well as display of fireworks by the temple authorities. The inaction of the part of the State has violated the petitioners right to life and liberty (Article 21), causing huge monetary loss to them. 

It is the States duty to ensure that man-made disasters such as this, the plea highlighted. Asking the State to seek instructions, the Court adjourned the matter to next week. 

The petitioners are represented by Advocates M.H.Asif Ali, S.Muhammed Haneeff, Aravind T Ramesh, Rajana Jose, K.M.Fathima.