K'taka Govt to hold inquiry into Mall accident

Bangalore, July 13 (UNI) The Karnataka Government will hold an inquiry into the alleged negligence to follow safety measures for operating escalators in a mall in the city, which had led to the death of a six-year-old boy recently.

Replying to a lengthy discussion on the issue in the Legislative Council today over the incident in Garuda Mall, Higher Education Minister and House Leader D H Shankaramurthy assured that an inquiry would be held into the alleged lapse in ensuring safety of the public visiting the mall.

Terming the death of the boy as an accident, the minister said the guilty would be punished, if indicted.

Earlier, raising the matter through a call attention motion, BJP member Vimala Gowda alleged that the incident occurred due to negligence by the promoters of the Mall, which housed commercial establishments, entertainment kiosks and cinema halls.

She alleged that when the incident happened, in which a boy was tumbled out from an escalator from fourth flour and died in the hospital, safety measures were not adhered to and demanded action against the promoters.

The Mall, which was constructed by violating civic regulations, also fleeced the visitors by collecting exorbitant parking fees. The fee for parking two-wheeler and four wheeler was Rs 30 and Rs 60 per hour respectively, she alleged.

The incident could have been avoided if the promoters of the Mall had taken care for safety measures. The promoters also encroached public land and a complaint was lodged with the authorities, but no action was taken, she said.

Congress member V S Ugrappa, Opposition leader in the House H K Patil, JD(U) members Dr M P Nadagouda and Basavaraj Bommai, also expressed concern over the alleged lapse in ensuring safety norms in the business complex.

However, Congress member K C Kondaiah opined that taking action against the promoters was not desirable as the death of the boy was due to an accident.

The promoters had taken necessary steps to ensure the safety of the visitors, he claimed.

Prof B K Chandrashekhar, Chairman of the House, intervened and described the incident as 'unfortunate' and instructed the government to hold an inquiry.

UNI