Death at quarry: Wife of deceased truck driver receives ₹30 lakh compensation

The wife of a 38-year-old truck driver, who died at an allegedly illegal quarry at Nagamangala taluk in Mandya district in December 2025, has received a total compensation of ₹30 lakh following the intervention of the Upalokayukta.

After Upalokayukta Justice B. Veerappa suo motu initiated a probe into the death of truck driver Lakshmana, whose tipper lorry, loaded with construction stones, plunged into a gorge at the quarry, Rashmi B., senior geologist, Mandya, said quarry owner Kantharaju has paid Shashikala, the deceased’s wife, ₹25 lakh.

The senior geologist said the Labour Department has also paid ₹5 lakh to Ms. Shashikala, taking the total compensation amount to ₹30 lakh.

It may be mentioned here that the Upalokayukta had initiated a probe by booking 10 officials, including the jurisdictional Assistant Commissioner, tahsildar, and Deputy Superintendent of Police, for dereliction of duty.

The Upalokayukta had taken cognisance of a media report that said a truck loaded with construction stones had plunged into a gorge at the quarry near Jataka Gate in Bellur police station limits of Nagamangala taluk, resulting in the death of the truck driver.

The report alleged that the incident occurred due to the negligence of the owner of the quarry, where labourers were working in “pathetic” conditions, and that the quarry owner as well as the labourers were failing to adhere to mandatory safety measures.

The Upalokayukta had observed that the quarry owner had failed to construct a compound wall or any protective barrier around the 40-ft deep gorge, adjacent to the route taken by the truck, while also taking note of the alleged inaction by officials of the Mines and Geology Department.

Ms. Rashmi has informed the Upalokayukta that the licence of the quarry, Basaveshwara Stone Crushers, has been suspended.