Over 700 deaths by negligence in Bengaluru, only two convictions in four years: Report
Bengaluru: Bengaluru has reported 707 cases of death by negligence since 2020, yet only two of these cases have resulted in convictions, highlighting significant challenges victims face in seeking justice.
Data accessed by the Deccan Herald revealed that 378 cases are currently under trial, 155 are under investigation, while 135 have been closed due to “false reporting” and 62 resulted in acquittals.
These negligence-related deaths were related to substandard civic infrastructure, roads, rain-related incidents, electrocution, factory accidents, among others. Alarmingly, 10-15 percent of these cases each year pertain to negligence involving civic agencies.
Under the Indian Penal Code (IPC), death by negligence was punished with two years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both. Under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the punishment has been increased to five years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both.
The recent collapse of an under-construction apartment building in Bengaluru on October 22, which claimed at least nine lives, drew significant attention and led to a quick police case. However, in many negligence cases, even filing a police complaint can be a struggle.
A police officer investigating the Babusapalya case noted that in cases where a single labourer is killed, the victim’s family often opt for “settlement” with the accused due to their poor financial situation. “A large number of cases marked as false reporting are also the result of such settlements. Complainants either don’t cooperate during evidence gathering or just withdraw the case,” the officer was quoted as saying by DH.
In many instances, “settlement” cases are ultimately categorised as Unnatural Death Reports (UDRs), primarily involving fatalities at construction sites and factories. According to the officer, proving a case of death by negligence is complex and requires extensive technical work.
Saidulu Adavath, Deputy Commissioner of Police (North), explained that the word ‘negligence’ has not been well-defined, therefore making careful investigations essential. He told the news outlet that when a complainant alleges negligence, there is a need to establish the acts that are actually negligent and then proceed with technical analysis to prove them. “Even a minor hiccup can cause the case to falter,” he added.
According to the latest data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), Bengaluru has emerged as the leading metropolitan city for deaths due to negligence from civic bodies.
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UT Khader to attend Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference, concludes study tour in South Korea
Bengaluru: Hon’ble Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, UT Khader Fareed, is set to participate in the upcoming 67th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in Sydney, Australia, from November 5 to 8, 2024.
Representing the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association’s Karnataka branch, Speaker Khader recently concluded a study tour in South Korea to strengthen Karnataka's international relations and explore collaborative opportunities.
During the visit, Speaker Khader met with the Indian Ambassador to South Korea, Amit Kumar, IFS, on October 27 in Seoul. According to a press release from P. Omprakash, Advisor to the Speaker and former Secretary of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, the meeting focused on enhancing bilateral ties between Karnataka and South Korea, with discussions covering key sectors like education, trade, healthcare, and information technology.
Speaker Khader emphasized Karnataka’s interest in establishing Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with South Korean universities, aimed at promoting collaborative academic programs and expanding job opportunities through affiliated colleges.
Both sides also exchanged views on potential investment opportunities and the infrastructure and economic landscape of their respective regions. The discussions highlighted hopes for strengthened ties between Karnataka and South Korea, and building future partnerships in various fields.
