At least 12 cases have been registered since 2009 for death due to alleged negligence of BBMP or Bescom, but none led to conviction. “It is necessary to establish criminal negligence on the part of an official to pin him down. But probes in such cases are thrown into disarray as every officer tries to shift blame and the civic agency concerned tries to stonewall the probe,” said a senior police officer. In most instances, there are no written records, which officers exploit, the officer added. Another official said that the police do not want to be seen as being harsh on their counterparts in other civic agencies. The official also added that inter-agency relations are a delicate and sensitive issue that had to be balanced in the interests of governance. Even if an official probes a case thoroughly, permission for prosecution is difficult to obtain, he added.
Family and friends of victims of civic negligence can claim damages by filing a civil suit in a local court. There have been instances where writ petitions have been filed before high courts. In some cases, courts have granted damages. At times, relief has been denied, as damages cannot be granted under writ jurisdiction, an advocate said.