PILs

Namma Bengaluru Foundation and Rajeev Chandrasekhar, MP, on October 9, 2014 filed a writ petition against the lack of accountability of various parastatal agencies that led to the death of nine-year-old Geetha Lakshmi in an uncovered storm water drain.

The PIL has sought directions to the Urban Development Department and the Commissioner of the BBMP to prepare a comprehensive, time bound action plan for safety and security mechanisms for civic services like storm water drains and electricity supply.

The petition has also sought directives to the state government to prosecute negligent Public officials, whose failure to carry out their statutory duties results in loss of life and limb.

Respondents

State of Karnataka

The Principal Secretary to Government

Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike

Engineer- In-Chief, BBMP

Prayer/Relief sought

• Issue a writ of mandamus or any other appropriate writ, order or direction, directing the Respondent No. 1-State, to conduct an emergent enquiry and identify the officers, who have failed in the exercise of their statutory duties resulting in the uncovered drains and public infrastructure turning into death traps, leading to the loss of lives of children and submit a report to this Hon’ble Court;
• Issue a writ of mandamus or any other appropriate writ, order or direction, directing the Respondent No. 1 – State to initiate criminal prosecution against the deviant, errant officers, who have failed in exercise of their statutory duties, as a result of which open drains and public infrastructure have turned into death traps, resulting in the loss of lives of citizens;
• Issue a writ of mandamus or any other appropriate writ, order or direction, directing the Respondent Nos. 2 and 3, within such period of time as this Hon’ble Court deems fit, to prepare a comprehensive set of directions for undertaking and establishing safety and security mechanisms, pertaining to the public drainage and other utility services, so as to ensure protection of life and property of the residents of the city of Bangalore;
• Issue a writ of mandamus or any other appropriate writ, order or direction, directing the Respondent No. 3 to forthwith undertake steps to close all open drains and manholes in the city of Bangalore and provide adequate signage warning people of the hazards so as to prevent any further loss of lives in the city of Bangalore

Current Status

On November 4, 2016, Karnataka High Court directed the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahangara Palike (BBMP) to submit a status report on the work done regarding potholes and encroachments, as well as, a status report on investigation. The Hon’ble court has granted 2 months to the civic body for the same.