Karnataka High Court takes suo motu cognizance of metro pillar collapse in Bengaluru leading to death of mother, son

The Karnataka High Court on Friday took suo motu cognizance of an incident which took place earlier this week in Bengaluru where a pillar at a metro construction site fell on a mother and her toddler son leading to their deaths.

A bench comprising Chief Justice PB Varale and Justice Ashok S Kinagi passed the order while relying on newspaper reports and opined that the incident raised safety concerns for the public at large.

"These news items prompted us to take cognizance of incident referred to wherein there was an unfortunate death of a lady and her toddler son and the condition of the roads", said the court.

The court directed that authorities from the State government, Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL), Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), concerned contractor and any other relevant authority be made party to these proceedings.

The following issues were flagged by the High Court while taking cognizance of the incident:

1. What are the safety measures prescribed for such work;

2. Whether such safety measures are the part of the tender document or contract agreement;

3. If such safety measures are not a part of tender document or contract between the parties, whether any attempt is made to set up certain safety measures by way of government order, notification etc.;

4. If such measures are prescribed, what is the mechanism for periodical supervision and check-up in ongoing construction activity;

5. Whether any accountability is fixed for failure to maintain the safety measures, either on the contractor, agency undertaking the work, or the officer concerned supervising the work.

As per reports, a woman and her two year old son died when a pillar at a metro construction site fell on them at Nagawara on Tuesday morning. The two victims were on a two wheeler with the father and the couple's other child.

The day after the incident, the Begaluru police launched an investigation against three BMRCL officers and six representatives of the contractor company.