The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Court to BBMP: prevent death by drowning

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Wednesday, Jul 29, 2009
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Court to BBMP: prevent death by drowning

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday asked the State Government and the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to take steps and safeguards to ensure that people did not drown in overflowing drains.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice P.D. Dinakaran and Justice V.G. Sabhahit passed the order on a public interest litigation (PIL) petition by Citizens Action Group, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), seeking a direction to the BBMP and the State to take steps to protect the life and property of citizens.

The NGO said Abhishek had drowned in an overflowing drain at Shamanna Layout, Lingarajapuram, on May 31, 2009. Ten days earlier, a security guard, Venkateshwaralu, was washed away in a drain.

In its order, the Bench said: “There cannot be any second option to request the BBMP and other agencies concerned to formulate a comprehensive guideline to safeguard the interest of the general public and their safety not only in Bangalore but in all the cities and towns of the State.

While recording deep concern, agony and anguish over Abhishek’s death, we feel it appropriate to direct the petitioners to make a representation to the Chief Secretary.”

The Chief Secretary, in turn, was asked to place the representation before the authorities concerned who were asked to take steps to ensure that the lives of the people were protected.

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Karnataka