BBMP: Why arrest Palike staff for manhole, building collapse cases?
They even alleged that instead of arresting BWSSB officials responsible for the manhole death, the police have arrested BBMP officials.
Bengaluru: Cutting across party lines, BBMP corporators present at the monthly council meet, objected to the arrest of BBMP employees in connection with the recent building collapse and manhole death cases in the city. They demanded that the guilty be arrested and those who are innocent should be released. They even alleged that instead of arresting BWSSB officials responsible for the manhole death, the police have arrested BBMP officials.
On Monday, BBMP leader of the opposition Mr Padmanabha Reddy said, "In connection with the building collapse at Jayarama Reddy Layout and the manhole death in AECS Layout, police have arrested three BBMP officials." He said this act by the city cops cannot be justified and demanded that the arrested should be released immediately. "Does the police inspector get arrested if anyone gets killed in his jurisdiction?" he quipped while slamming the arrest of jurisdictional BBMP officials in this connection. Before making the arrest, the police should conduct an inquiry and later act, Mr Padmanabha Reddy added.
BBMP Mayor Sampath Raj while addressing BWSSB official Mr Gangadhar at the council meeting, asked, "Why should our BBMP officials be held responsible for the faults of BWSSB? Get our officials released and make water board officials responsible." And when Mr Gangadhar replied that he do not have any information related to this, the mayor lost his cool and said "You (BWSSB) officials come to BBMP to get all the work related to the water board done at the earliest. And now you want to get away by stating that you (BWSSB) do not have any information."
Speaking in favour of BBMP officials, BBMP Commissioner Mr Manjunath Prasad said, "Arrest of BBMP officials in both the building collapse and manhole tragedy isn't justifiable. We have directed the BBMP law wing to take necessary steps to get the innocent BBMP officials released as once the FIR is registered, then they have to be released by furnishing the needed details as per law."