Video Calls Instead Of Site Visits? Bengaluru Building Collapse Investigation Deepens

In the tragic collapse of a seven-story under-construction building in Babusapalya, near Kammanahalli, Bengaluru, investigators have identified issues surrounding the construction's supervision. Hennur police report that the building's owner, 52-year-old civil engineer Muniraja Reddy, managed the construction primarily through WhatsApp video calls with the head mason, Murugesha. This approach, which relied heavily on remote oversight, has raised serious concerns about the quality and safety protocols followed on-site.

Preliminary findings suggest that Reddy's remote supervision contributed to lapses in structural integrity, a factor the investigators believe played a critical role in the building's eventual collapse. D. Devaraj, Deputy Commissioner of Police (East), confirmed that Reddy, currently hospitalized for health reasons, will face the legal process once his condition stabilizes. In the meantime, his son Bhuvan Reddy and head mason Murugesha have been taken into custody and remanded for 14 days.

The police revealed that Reddy's involvement in crucial construction decisions, such as material selection and structural adjustments, was conducted remotely. This process was deemed insufficient to ensure the project's stability. Further compounding the issue, Reddy is believed to have assigned supervisory responsibilities to another mason, Elumalai, after the fourth floor, shifting away from Murugesha mid-project. Authorities are currently searching for Elumalai, who was reportedly last seen near the collapsed structure. Police report that his phone last pinged near the site late Wednesday before it was turned off.

The investigation now extends to Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) officials, including assistant executive engineers responsible for overseeing the project. According to a senior police officer, "We are compiling a list of BBMP officials in the area for further investigation, and necessary action will follow once we conclude our findings."

As rescue teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local departments work tirelessly to locate any remaining survivors, this tragedy has drawn attention to the critical importance of proper supervision and adherence to safety protocols at construction sites.