The High Court of Karnataka on Monday suggested to the Bruhat Bangalore Mahangara Palike (BBMP) that criminal prosecution may be launched against officials concerned when non-maintenance of footpaths results in death of citizens.
Making it clear that this could be one of the ways to fix the responsibility on the officials concerned, the court said that Chief Engineer of the respective zone may be booked under Section 304A (causing death by negligence) of the Indian Penal Code in cases of accidents due to non-maintenance of footpaths.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice D.H. Waghela and Justice Ram Mohan Reddy made the suggestions while hearing public interest litigation petitions related to poor conditions of footpaths, deaths caused due to uncovered drains, etc.
The Bench also suggested that the BBMP evolve a mechanism to enable citizens to file complaints regarding encroachment/ obstruction on footpaths, though an information technology-based tool, and the redress the complaints within a couple of hours. While adjourning further hearing to January 27, the Bench issued a direction for presence of senior officials of Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Ltd. when the court hears the issue of installation of electricity transformers on footpaths.
