Karnataka HC notice to minister Muniratna over illegal construction on Malathalli lake
Bengaluru, Feb 20: The High Court of Karnataka on Monday ordered issuance of notice to state Minister Muniratna and others over the issue of alleged illegal construction of a Lord Shiva statue and a concrete structure in the form of an open air theatre.
The court issued the order on a PIL filed by Geetha Mishra alleging illegal construction and encroachment of lakes. In an application filed in the PIL today, the issue of the illegal construction was placed before the Court.
It is alleged that "with the help of the MLA of RR Nagar Assembly Constituency, Muniratna, M Govindaraju, BJP President of RR Nagar Assembly Constituency have sought permission to erect a 35 feet tall idol of Lord Shiva on 19/02/2023 on the occasion of Shivaratri and to conduct recreational and entertainment activities on the lake bed of Malathalli lake."
The application further stated that “Govindaraju in connivance with the BBMP and the Lake Development Authority CEO has constructed a huge circular concrete structure in the form of an open air theatre.” Advocate G R Mohan, representing the petitioner, informed the court that no work order or sanction plan was issued by any authority for this illegal structure. Due to the illegal construction and filling up of the lake with debris, the boundary is further reduced.
According to the petitioner, four acres and seven guntas of the 72 acre 22 gunta lake is already encroached upon.
The application sought to make Muniratna Naidu, M Govindaraju, the Joint Commissioner, Executive Engineer of RR Nagar, Executive Engineer, BBMP, and other officers respondents in the case.
The HC allowed for issuing of notices to all the proposed respondents.
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B'luru: "Least priority, shifted late," says brother of patient who died in Ramaiah hospital fire
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Bengaluru: Hours after a fire broke out at the Critical Care Unit (CCU) of the MS Ramaiah Memorial Hospital on New BEL Road on Thursday, a 34-year-old patient, Sujay Sujathan Panicker, tragically passed away. His family has accused the hospital authorities of negligence, which they claim led to his death.
The fire at Ramaiah Memorial Hospital is believed to have been caused by a short circuit. Initial reports suggested that there were no casualties in the incident.
Sujay, originally from Kollam in Kerala, had been residing in Bengaluru with his family since 2004. He was undergoing treatment for pneumonia, Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), and H1N1 since September 1 at the hospital.
Sujay's wife and father released a video accusing the hospital of negligence. In the video, his wife, Rohini Jayan, alleged that the hospital authorities took no action against those responsible for the fire.
Sujay’s brother, Sujin Sujathan Panicker, speaking to Vartha Bharathi, detailed the family’s ordeal. He said that despite his sister-in-law requesting assistance during the chaos, the hospital staff pushed her away, assuring her that all patients had been safely evacuated to the Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU). However, Sujin claims that his sister-in-law did not see Sujay being shifted.
He further stated, “Sometime later, when a doctor arrived, she (Rohini) inquired about Sujay. It was only after the doctor questioned the staff that they rushed to evacuate him.”
Sujin added that by the time his brother was evacuated, 50 minutes had already passed since the fire broke out. "He was still inside, while all the other patients were taken out first. He was admitted to the hospital with a respiratory illness, yet he was given the least priority during the chaos. He was the last one to be evacuated."
He also claimed that Rohini had already noticed that Sujay’s condition had deteriorated and believed he had passed away, though the hospital authorities did not officially declare his death.
Sujin further stated that the hospital authorities called him and his father to the board room at the 8th floor of the hospital, where senior executives and doctors who had treated Sujay were present “During the interaction they (hospital authorities) claimed that Sujay was still alive and that his condition had worsened amid the smoke and that his chances of survival were less, which was not true.”
"Despite staff being present to evacuate my brother, they remained negligent. The fire broke out at 1:00 p.m., so why did it take 50 minutes to get him out? He was in a corner bed in the CCU, and it seemed they either overlooked the room or ignored it. Even after repeated requests, it took them 50 minutes to evacuate him," Sujin added.
Sujin also expressed concerns that the hospital authorities might attempt to influence the investigation. "They can influence anyone—any hospital, any report."
At the time of the interview, Sujin stated that neither anyone from the government nor from the health department had contacted the family.
A complaint has been filed in connection with the incident at the Sadashivanagar police station. "The statements of the family members have been recorded, and an investigation into the matter is underway. An FIR has been lodged under Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) Section 106 (causing death due to negligence)," said Sadashivanagar police station Sub-Inspector.
Meanwhile, officials from Ramaiah Memorial Hospital were unavailable for comment.
