The Kerala High Court has ordered the state to immediately pay ex-gratia to victims of the recent Kalladi landslide near a tunnel project. The court ruled that medical expenses for the injured must be covered by the project, with the state ensuring swift repatriation of the deceased. The bench is actively monitoring ongoing relief and rehabilitation efforts.
The Kerala High Court on Friday issued a directive to the state government to prioritize immediate financial assistance and medical support for the victims of the recent landslide in Wayanad. The incident, which occurred on July 7, took place near the Anakkompoyil Meppadi tunnel project site. A Division Bench comprising Justices AK Jayasankaran Nambiar and Preeta AK is overseeing the matter, which was taken up suo motu.
Court Directive on Relief and Medical Costs
The court’s primary focus is on the immediate relief for affected families and the survivors. Justices Nambiar and Preeta AK explicitly ordered the state to expedite the disbursement of ex-gratia payments to help families cope with the sudden financial distress. Regarding those injured, the court ruled that medical treatment must be provided without any financial burden on the patients or their kin. The bench clarified that these hospitalization and treatment costs are to be initially charged to the tunnel project, with legal mechanisms for ultimate recovery to be determined in subsequent proceedings.
Accountability and Ongoing Search Operations
The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) informed the court that search operations are currently underway to locate missing individuals, utilizing both heavy machinery and manual labor in the challenging terrain. The court has requested a detailed inquiry into the operational status of the tunnel project at the time of the landslide. While the KSDMA noted that external work on the project had officially ceased on July 5, the court has demanded clarity on the nature of the workers' activities during the landslide.
Concerns were also raised by the amicus curiae regarding the management of excavated mud from the tunnel site and the potential impact of heavy monsoon rainfall in the region. The state government is now required to submit a comprehensive compliance report by July 17, covering the status of compensation payments, the progress of medical treatment for the injured, and the repatriation process for the deceased. The court has committed to weekly monitoring of the situation to ensure that rehabilitation efforts remain on track.