Probe ordered over collapse

Following political hullabaloo over a girl's death in the incident, Lokayukta starts investigation into the case.

Following political hullabaloo over a girl's death in the incident, Lokayukta starts investigation into the case.

After a political flutter over the death of 18-year-old Sanjana, a pre-university student in a recent rain-related wall collapse, the Lokayukta has swung into action after it came to light that the wall was poorly constructed.

After waiting for 10 days, Ashok Singh, Sanjana's father, approached the Lokayukta Santosh Hegde for justice.

Based on the complaint filed by Sanjana's parents, a Lokayukta team visited the site where the incident happened, and initiated investigations yesterday.

In his complaint, he mentioned that his daughter had died because of poor work by the contractor. He also
said that they had strongly objected the work on that compound wall.

Sanjana had taken shelter under this wall before it collapsed. She was buried under it, resulting in her death. Though passersby tried to rescue her, their efforts were in vain.

Poor quality

Singh added that he is an engineer in a private firm, and is thus qualified to evaluate that the materials used in the construction of the wall were of poor quality, and the collapse was a result of negligence on the contractor's part.

The grieving father said that he hopes the complaint with the Lokayukta will bring transparency into the inquiry.

Illegal construction?

Hegde told MiD DAY, "We held a discussion with Sanjana's parents after we received the complaint.

So today we have sent a team to verify the incident. Some of our members are examining the documents if the construction was illegal."

The BBMP also appointed a team to investigate. Narayana Swami, personal secretary to Commissioner confirmed this.

"We will get the report in two days and will take action. We cannot accuse anyone without a report," he said.

Residents support

The Singh family has found support from the Laxyamma Nagar residents. They said that they will stand by the grieving family until they get justice.

K Jayanna, a resident of the area, said, "This is not the first case. We hear about these incidents quite often. The government should take strict action against such contractors."

The Incident

Sanjana, a Std XII student of Airforce Central School, was returning from tuitions when it began raining heavily. She took shelter in a compound opposite the Karnataka Veterinary Animal & Fishery Science University. As she stood, the compound wall collapsed and she was buried under it. Passersby tried to rescue the girl, but their efforts were in vain.