Raipur/Bilaspur,CG: The High Court of Chhattisgarh has taken suo motu cognizance of the case of death of 19 Baiga tribals in a road accident in Kukdur area of Kawardha, Chhattisgarh. This matter will be heard through PIL. The next date of hearing has been fixed on May 24.

Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha's double bench considering it as a Public Interest Litigation (PL) has issued notice to the competent authorities seeking reply from them. The next hearing has been scheduled on May 24.

Around 35 women-men were returning through pick up CG09 JD 5670 to their village Semraha after plucking tendu leaves. Due to brake failure, the pickup lost control and hit a stone leading to the vehicle overturning and falling in the valley. In the incident 15 women, three minor girls and one man died and 10 persons were injured. All the deceased belonged to the tribal Baiga community and they fall under the adopted children of the President of India.

However, after the incident, the government has announced to give Rs 5 lakh to the families of the deceased and Rs 50 thousand to the injured. Regarding the incident, Deputy CM Vijay Sharma has said that instructions have been given for better treatment of the injured.

The Chief Justice had earlier also taken public related issues based on newspaper reports as PIL. The court had then pulled up the government for the shortcomings, mainly maintenance of the roads.