Deaths in open drains: Spare no BBMP officials, slap criminal cases against them, says High Court

The court was hearing a PIL filed by the Namma Bengaluru Foundation The petition had stated that the drains had become death traps in the city

The High Court of Karnataka has directed to file criminal case against Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) officials responsible for open drains that have become death traps during the monsoon. The court was hearing a petition filed by the Namma Bengaluru Foundation.

Coming down heavily on the BBMP officials who have not yet initiated measures to close the open drains - despite being directed by the court - the court wondered why there was a delay.

Arguing for the petitioners, senior advocate Sajjan Poovaiah told the court that children are falling victims to BBMP officials' negligence in closing the open drains. Referring to the death of Geethalakshmi, who was killed after she fell into the drain, the petitioner had strongly urged the court to file criminal case against the BBMP officials. The court was told that despite its strict order to close the open drains - in last November - the BBMP officials and the government continue to ignore the gravity of the issue, the court was told. Considering this, the petitioner had sought to initiate criminal proceedings against the guilty officers.

The Namma Bengaluru Foundation had filed the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking criminal proceeding against the BBMP officers for not closing the open drains way back in 2014 itself. Although, delayed for three years, the issue was finally heard in the court on Friday.

Chief Justice SK Mukherjee and Justice PS Dinesh Kumar asked the government and BBMP officials to submit a report on action taken to cover the open drains in the city limits and also the action initiated against the irresponsible officials by the next hearing. Also, if necessary, a panel may be formed to assess the sitaution, said the court.  The matter has been adjourned for June 16.