Kogilu house demolitions: KSHRC flags possible rights violations, seeks govt response
Bengaluru (PTI): A team from the KSHRC on Monday visited the site where several "illegal houses" were demolished in Kogilu in the northern part of the city and said that, prima facie, it appears proper alternative arrangements were not made for the residents, a matter that will be verified.
Karnataka State Human Rights Commission Chairperson T Sham Bhatt said the case has been referred to the commission’s investigation wing to examine allegations of human rights violations and to determine whether legal provisions were followed during the demolition. Based on the preliminary report, initial recommendations will be made to the government.
The demolition of houses at Kogilu’s Waseem Layout and Fakir Colony on December 20 was carried out by Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited to clear encroachments for a proposed solid waste processing unit, officials said.
They added that the houses were constructed without official permission and that most occupants were migrants from other states.
"Our officers will conduct inquiries, and affected people will need to submit relevant documents during the process. If it is government land, we will examine records and make recommendations to the government," Bhatt told reporters.
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"Meanwhile, residents allege that no alternate arrangements were made before the demolitions, although media reports indicate temporary shelter centres were opened at a distance. We will look into all of this," he added.
Further, Bhatt said, "Considering all factors, we will make preliminary recommendations to the government for now. After a proper inquiry, a detailed report will be submitted subsequently."
Responding to questions, the chairperson said that prima facie, based on residents’ accounts, there appears to be a human rights violation.
"However, we cannot conclude anything without verifying the documents. As it is said to be government land, we will serve notice to the government and seek a report on actions taken in accordance with the law. Based on this, we will decide and make recommendations," he said.
Bhatt stated that notices have been served to the deputy commissioner of the district and the Greater Bengaluru Authority, who are required to submit their responses within seven days.
"We have not examined any documents so far. We have only come here to assess the ground situation," he added.
Preliminary recommendations to the government will focus on providing temporary shelters and basic facilities, such as water, to families affected by the demolition.
The issue turned into a political row after Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and AICC General Secretary K C Venugopal criticised the demolition. Following this, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Sunday said the government is considering rehabilitating genuine residents among those evicted.
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MP HC sets up judicial commission to probe water contamination in Indore
Indore (PTI): The Indore bench of Madhya Pradesh High Court on Tuesday set up a commission of inquiry comprising a former HC judge to probe the issue of water contamination in city's Bhagirathpura, saying the matter requires probe by an independent, credible authority and "urgent judicial scrutiny".
It also directed the commission to submit an interim report after four weeks from the date of commencement of proceedings.
A division bench of Justices Vijay Kumar Shukla and Alok Awasthi constituted the commission while hearing several public interest litigations (PILs) filed simultaneously regarding the deaths of several people in Bhagirathpura due to the consumption of contaminated water.
The HC reserved the order after hearing all the parties during the day, and released it late at night.
The state government on Tuesday told the HC that the deaths of 16 people in Indore's Bhagirathpura area was possibly linked to a month-long outbreak of vomiting and diarrhoea caused by contaminated drinking water.
The government presented an audit report of 23 deaths from the current gastroenteritis epidemic in Bhagirathpura before the bench, suggesting that 16 of these fatalities may have been linked to the outbreak of vomiting and diarrhoea caused by contaminated drinking water.
The report, prepared by a committee of five experts from the city's Government Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College, stated that the deaths of four people in Bhagirathpura were unrelated to the outbreak, while no conclusion could be reached regarding the cause of death of three other people in the area.
During the hearing, the high court sought to know from the state government the scientific basis behind its report.
The division bench also expressed surprise at the state government's use of the term "verbal autopsy" in relation to the report, sarcastically stating that it had heard the term for the first time.
The HC expressed concern over the Bhagirathpura case, stating that the situation was "alarming," and noted that cases of people falling ill due to contaminated drinking water have also been reported in Mhow, near Indore.
In its order, the HC said the serious issue concerning contamination of the drinking water supply in Bhagirathpura area allegedly resulted in widespread health hazards to residents, including children and elderly persons.
According to the petitioners and media reports, death toll is about 30 till today, but the report depicts only 16 without any basis or record, it said.
It is averred that sewage mixing, leakage in the pipeline, and failure of civic authorities to maintain potable water standards have led to the outbreak of water-borne diseases. Photographs, medical reports, and complaints submitted to the authorities prima facie indicate a matter requiring urgent judicial scrutiny, the HC said.
"Considering the gravity of the allegation and affecting the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution of India and the need for an independent fact-finding exercise, the Court is of the opinion that the matter requires investigation by an independent, credible authority," it said.
"Accordingly, we appoint Justice Sushil Kumar Gupta, former judge of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, a one-man commission of inquiry into the issues relating to water contamination in Bhagirathpura, Indore, and its impact on other areas of the city," the HC added.
As per the order, the commission shall inquire into and submit a report on the cause of contamination -- whether the drinking water supplied to Bhagirathpura was contaminated; and the source and nature of contamination (sewage ingress, industrial discharge, pipeline damage etc).
The panel will also probe the number of actual deaths of affected residents on account of contaminated water; find out the nature of disease reported and adequacy of medical response and preventive measures; suggest immediate steps required to ensure safe drinking water as well as long-term infrastructural and monitoring reforms.
It will also identify and fix responsibility upon the officers and officials found prima facie responsible for the Bhagirathpura water contamination incident, and suggest guidelines for compensation to affected residents, particularly vulnerable sections.
The commission shall have powers of a civil court for the purpose of summoning officials and witnesses; calling up records from the government department, hospitals, laboratories and civic bodies; ordering water quality testing through accredited laboratories; conducting spot inspections.
All state authorities involving district administration, Indore Municipal Corporation, public health engineering department and Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board shall extend full co-operation and provide records as sought by the commission, it said.
The state government shall provide office space, staff, and logistical support to the commission, it said.
During the hearing in the day, the state government also presented a status report to the court in this matter.
According to reports, a total of 454 patients were admitted to local hospitals during the vomiting and diarrhea outbreak, of whom 441 have been discharged after treatment, and 11 are currently hospitalised.
According to officials, due to a leak in the municipal drinking water pipeline in Bhagirathpura, sewage from a toilet was also mixed in the water.
