In 2023, civic negligence claimed 23 lives in Karnataka, the highest in the country, followed by Madhya Pradesh (12) and Chhattisgarh (5), according to National Crime Record Bureau data.
These cases of civic negligence include incidents such as electrocution from Escom lines, deaths due to poorly maintained roads, tree falls, and similar occurrences. On Monday, a 20-year-old college student died after being run over by a truck near Budigere Cross. Investigators suspect whether potholes in the stretch contributed to the accident.
Similarly, in June, a 29-year-old man died after a tree branch snapped and fell on him, critically injuring his head in south Bengaluru. He succumbed to his injuries days later, prompting the police to book the then BBMP Deputy Conservator of Forest and other officials for negligence.
A senior police officer said that Bengaluru’s system is much better compared to other States, noting that influence often does not prevent cases from being registered. “We have seen the police commissioner being held accountable for the stampede situation, which sets an example that no one will be spared,” the officer told The Hindu.
However, he admitted that in many cases, chargesheets are not filed against civic body officials.
“To file chargesheets against government officials, we need prosecution sanction, which is often delayed or rarely granted. In such instances, cases remain pending, files gathering dust,” the officer explained, adding that senior officials are frequently left out while junior staff are held accountable.
For instance, a 23-year-old techie from Andhra Pradesh drowned in the waterlogged K.R. Circle underpass in central Bengaluru on May 21, 2023, when the car she was traveling in with her family sank. Police took a year to file a chargesheet, which revealed dereliction of duty by BBMP officers contributing to the car’s submersion.
Published – September 30, 2025 10:26 pm IST
