Karnataka HC initiates suo motu case over Bengaluru metro pillar tragedy

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, under opposition attack over corruption allegations, assured a thorough inquiry into the accident.

Bengaluru, Jan 13: The Karnataka High Court on Friday decided to take up a suo motu public interest case over the Bengaluru Metro pillar collapse incident which led to the death of a woman and her child on January 10.

A case has been registered against Nagarjuna Construction company (NCC), five of its officials and two of Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) in connection with the collapse of an under-construction metro pillar here, which left a woman and her toddler son dead on Tuesday. .

NCC is named first accused (A1), followed by its officials. A BMRCL deputy chief engineer and executive engineer are A7 and A8 respectively, police sources said. The company was the contractor that was carrying out the work. .

The mishap occurred around 11 am on Outer Ring Road near HBR Layout in the city after the TMT bars erected for the construction of a pillar fell on their scooter. As per the reports, the height of the pillar is said to be over 40 feet and weighing several tonnes.

The duo was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital by the bystanders, but the woman and her two and a half year-old son succumbed to their injuries.

The incident had resulted in traffic jam for some time along the stretch, even as many vehicles were plying when the mishap occurred.

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, under opposition attack over corruption allegations, assured a thorough inquiry into the accident.

The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) announced a financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh each for the two who died, and the Chief Minister announced an additional Rs 10 lakh each.

Anjum Parvez, Managing Director, BMRCL, termed the incident 'unfortunate', said they will also launch an internal audit.