Karnataka: One more body recovered, taking death toll to six after under-construction building collapses in Bengaluru
Oct 23, 2024
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], October 23 : One more body was recovered on Wednesday, bringing the total death toll to six from the site of an under-construction building that collapsed in the Horamavu Agara area of eastern Bengaluru yesterday.
According to the police, five bodies were recovered earlier, and five people sustained injuries in the incident.
Satish Kumar, Additional Commissioner of Bengaluru, identified the deceased as Harman (26), Tripal (35), Mohd Sahil (19), Sathya Raju (25), and Shankar. The injured individuals were identified as Jagadevi (45), Rasheed (28), Nagaraju (25), Ramesh Kumar (28), and Ayaj. The injured are receiving treatment at Bengaluru North Hospital, while one is at Hosmat Hospital.
A total of seven other people were rescued, bringing the number of rescued individuals to 13. Several others are still feared trapped under the debris of the collapsed building.
Lokayukta Justice BS Patil, accompanied by Upa Lokayukta Justices KN Phaneendra and B Veerappa, visited the collapse site to assess the situation and investigate potential lapses by the concerned officials.
Expressing his sorrow over the incident, Justice Patil stated that a suo-moto case had been registered by the Lokayukta. He pointed out that no notice had been issued by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) until the fourth floor of the building was constructed.
"The investigation is ongoing to determine responsibility. A suo-moto case has been registered by us. No license or sanctioned plan was provided, and no notice was given by the BBMP while the four floors were being built. This is negligence on the part of the officials. We will issue notices to them... No illegal buildings should be constructed," Patil said.
An FIR has been registered at Hennur Police Station against three named accused: Munirajareddy, Mohan Reddy, and Elumalai, in connection with the collapse. They face charges under various sections of the BNS and the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act. Bhuvan Reddy, son of Munirajareddy, under whose name the building was being constructed, has also been arrested.
The contractor, Muniyappa, responsible for constructing the four floors, has also been taken into custody, according to DCP East D Devaraja.
