The enquiry report regarding the collapse of a compound wall at Bowring Hospital, which resulted in seven fatalities, including a child, has been presented to the Karnataka government. Bengaluru Deputy Commissioner G. Jagadeesha submitted the report, which highlighted the creation of a cricket net facility near the wall. Allegedly, the hospital administration utilized CSR funds from a donor to develop a stadium-like cricket practice area adjacent to the wall.
The report attributed negligence and irresponsibility to Health Department engineers, contractors, and the hospital administration for the tragic incident. The wall collapse occurred amidst heavy rains and hailstorms near Bowring and Lady Curzon Hospital in Bengaluru. The primary cause identified in the enquiry report was the dumping of large amounts of soil next to the wall, weakening its structure.
According to the findings, the failure to timely remove the soil piled against the eight-foot wall by the contractor and Health Department engineers exerted excessive pressure, leading to the collapse. The report also noted that the soil dumping was linked to the creation of the cricket net facility and criticized the hospital administration for permitting such activities near the compound wall.
Bengaluru Deputy Commissioner Jagadeesha confirmed the completion of the enquiry and submission of the report to the government. He refrained from disclosing the report’s contents, emphasizing that it was submitted in a sealed cover. The tragic incident occurred during severe weather conditions, resulting in the immediate death of all seven individuals trapped under the debris when the structure collapsed.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah visited the site post-incident, acknowledging the tragic nature of the collapse. Karnataka Lokayukta Justice B.S. Patil initiated a suo motu case, expressing strong disapproval and advocating for accountability to prevent similar incidents by identifying and addressing dilapidated structures statewide.
