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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'Brand Bharat' is statement of authenticity; of being Vishwa Bandhu, says EAM
New Delhi (PTI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday extolled the idea of 'Brand Bharat' and said it is "statement of authenticity" in representation, articulation or beliefs, and equally a message that "we are now more comfortable in our own skin".
In a virtual address at India Ideas Conclave, he also underlined that it is also the "brand of Vishwa Bandhu" as on the big stage, a "multi-vector approach" engages the Quad and BRICS, Russia and Ukraine, Israel and Iran and the Global North and Global South.
Nations, like people, enterprises or services, have a reputation. When deeply entrenched into consciousness and easily recognisable, that becomes a brand. Obviously, it is related to the merits of the product and its track record, he said.
"When it comes to a country, the national brand is obviously a fusion and aggregation of different facets of its life. On the global stage, it is much more an integrated positioning of a multiple endeavors. We, in the world of diplomacy, have that responsibility. My thoughts today are about how we discharge that for an India that is more Bharat," Jaishankar said.
In his address, the external affairs minister encapsulated the journey of India from freedom struggle to gaining independence and the course the country took in the succeeding decades.
"Our initial decades after independence saw us struggling with the brand challenge. Given the ground situation, this was not unsurprising. A society recovering from two centuries of colonialism obviously had to painstakingly build itself up, creating new capabilities, institutions and practices," he said.
But at the end of the day, India entered the next century "intact as a polity, energetic as an economy and optimistic as a society".
"None of that could have been taken for granted and some, in fact, failed to make it," he underlined.
The Union minister, who virtually addressed the conclave hosted by India Foundation, lamented that earlier the country, at the global level, was "seen as sizeable player about whom there was limited expectation", and said, however, the last decade has seen a "big shift" in that regard.
"Economically, we are now perceived as much easier to do business. The transformation underway in infrastructure is also increasingly appreciated.
Whether it is the airports, metros, highways or railways, the achievements of the last decade stand out even by global standards. Perhaps, nothing has been more impactful than our embrace of digital technologies," he added.
Jaishankar then went on to expound what is 'Brand Bharat'.
"Bharat is a statement of authenticity, be it in representation, articulation or beliefs. Even our economic energies required a connotation of Atmanirbharta in that background," he asserted.
"It is equally a message that we are now more comfortable in our own skin, drawing on our own past, fashioning our own lexicon and advancing our own ideas," the Union minister added.
He said while recognising these developments, let us also realise that "we are not just one more country".
"Our history, tradition, culture and heritage makes us stand out. We are one of the rare ancient civilisations that have made a successful transition to a nation state. In the past, when our overall standing was less, perhaps this did not count for that much. But when juxtaposed with our achievements in so many fields, it now assumes very different connotation," Jaishankar added.
It is in this context that "we should reflect on Brand Bharat. The very term captures the civilisational aspect, while underlining how much more rooted we have become", he said.
"In a world asserting its independence from a globalised elite, it is an effort to engage the world more on our terms. The formulation of standing on the two legs of technology and tradition is one effective way of expressing Brand Bharat," Jaishankar said.
Coming from the domain of diplomacy, India naturally seek to advance that brand in more specific terms. That means defining how Bharat approaches the world, he said.
"There are a range of answers. The Global South sees a powerful advocate and the driver of Vaccine Maitri. Neighbours recognise a generous and non-reciprocal partner who stood by them during Covid, financial meltdowns or natural disasters. Democracies appreciate a confident partner whose choice has helped universalise their shared attributes," the minister asserted.
"The immediate region and beyond value an emerging 'first responder' and contributor to global goods. And on the big stage, a multi-vector approach engages the Quad and BRICS, Russia and Ukraine, Israel and Iran and the Global North and South. This is the brand of Vishwa Bandhu," he said.
