BENGALURU; In a tragic incident that has shocked the city, an under-construction building in Babusabpalya near Hennur collapsed, resulting in the deaths of 8 workers. The incident has brought to light serious lapses in regulation and enforcement by the city authorities, particularly the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). The Chief Commissioner of BBMP has ordered the suspension of Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE) K. Vinay, holding him responsible for dereliction of duty in connection with the case.
The decision to suspend AEE K. Vinay of the Horamavu sub-division follows allegations of gross negligence. Despite issuing a stabilization order instructing that the construction site be vacated, no action was taken within the stipulated time, leading to the fatal incident. Chief Commissioner’s office confirmed that negligence on the part of the engineer played a role in the catastrophe.
Reports have emerged that BBMP officials had served multiple notices to the building’s owner, Muniraj Reddy, warning him about the illegal construction. The first notice was issued in April, followed by two more in September, urging Reddy to cease construction activities and comply with regulatory requirements. Despite these repeated warnings, Reddy continued building a structure measuring 40×60 feet without obtaining the necessary map approval. The BBMP’s failure to act on these notices and enforce building codes has raised serious questions about the effectiveness and accountability of the municipal authorities.
The rescue efforts have been exhaustive, with personnel from the fire brigade, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) working tirelessly at the site. As of now, the death toll stands at 8, with victims hailing from different parts of India. The deceased have been identified as Armaan, Mohammad Sahil, and Solo Paswan from Bihar; Sriran Kirupal from Tamil Nadu; Manikanthan and Sathyaraju from Andhra Pradesh; and Pulchan Yadav from Uttar Pradesh. The rescue operation continues, with reports suggesting that three to four more individuals could still be trapped under the debris.
In the wake of the incident, the Hennur police have registered a case against those responsible. Authorities have arrested Bhuvan Gowda, son of the building owner, Mohan Reddy, who was supervising the construction, and Yedumalai Muniappa, who managed the fourth floor of the structure. Meanwhile, the search for the building’s owner, Muniraju Reddy, who is currently absconding, is ongoing. Police have questioning everal individuals , aiming to unravel the chain of negligence that led to the tragic loss of lives.
The gravity of the situation has prompted action from Karnataka Lokayukta Justice B.S. Patil, who visited the site and called for stringent action against the BBMP officials responsible for regulatory lapses. In his media briefing, he stated, “Eight innocent people have lost their lives in this accident. We need to investigate who is responsible for this tragedy. The building was constructed illegally without any permission, and yet BBMP officials turned a blind eye for two years. Why were they silent even when four storeys were constructed? There was a clear omission by the authorities.”
Lokayukta has taken up a suo-moto case on the incident, asserting that immediate and thorough action is required. “There are 500 complaints pending regarding illegal constructions in the city. It is time the public is made aware, and stringent action is taken. This case will serve as a model for future measures against illegally constructed buildings,” he added.
The collapse has raised broader concerns over the BBMP’s handling of illegal constructions across Bengaluru. Questions have been raised about how many other unauthorized buildings exist within the city, with the BBMP’s lack of enforcement being a contributing factor. Despite multiple complaints and cases of illegal construction, there appears to be little to no action taken by the municipal body, leading to what many see as a breakdown in the city’s regulatory framework.
Justice Patil criticised BBMP officials, stating, “Why did they not take action on this B-category construction? How many more such structures are being built in the city? What are the corporation officials doing to prevent this?” His sharp rebuke underscores the need for a comprehensive review of how building regulations are enforced and monitored.
This tragic incident is a glaring example of the consequences of official negligence and lack of oversight. Despite knowing about the illegal construction, BBMP’s failure to act swiftly has resulted in the loss of eight lives. As rescue operations continue, the city is left grappling with grief and anger, demanding accountability and systemic reforms to prevent future disasters.
The coming days will be crucial as the administration is expected to take concrete steps to address not only this incident but the larger issue of illegal constructions plaguing Bengaluru. The public and authorities alike will be watching closely, seeking justice for the victims and hoping for real changes in how the city is managed and regulated.
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