Tree fall
Bengaluru: Invoking the public law remedy, Karnataka high court has awarded Rs 2.8 crore compensation to a Bengaluruean, who was seriously injured after a tree branch fell on him in March 2024. After six months of treatment spending Rs 26 lakh, he still has 85% disability. G Chandan was on his way to office around 10am when the branch of a Gulmohar tree projecting from Good Shepherd School premises fell upon his neck on March 7 that year. In its order dated Sept 18, the court has issued a series of general directions to the authorities on public safety hazard detection and response mechanisms. The matter has been posted to Jan 5 for the authorities to report compliance with the court’s directions. Partly allowing his petition seeking Rs 5 crore compensation, Justice Suraj Govindaraj directed the commissioner of BBMP (now GBA), and DCF, forest unit of BBMP, to pay Rs 2.7 crore along with 6% interest, considering that Rs 5 lakh has already been paid. A sum of Rs 3 lakh paid by Good Shepherd School management need not be deducted from this compensation amount, the judge said. The school shall continue to provide free education to the petitioner’s daughter until she completes Class 12, consistent with its own undertaking recorded in this order. Chandan, an employee in a private company, was drawing a monthly salary of Rs 41,212 at that time. Against his demand for Rs 5 crore compensation, authorities announced Rs 8 lakh in financial support.
The court observed that spinal injury has impaired his mobility and physical independence, altering his manner of living. The disability will continue to affect him throughout his lifetime, it added. Yet, no action was taken. The fact that the tree stood on private property is relevant to determining the duties of the school and BBMP. However, it’s not a ground to absolve BBMP of liability. Moreover, BBMP has not stated what caused the tree branch to fall. Guidelines issued State govt must create a system to receive information on public safety hazards from multiple sources Vehicle-mounted cameras used to detect public safety hazards must be registered and certified AI and computer vision may be used to identify potential hazards using photographs, videos, satellite imagery, GIS data, drones and other sources. AI must assist in the process and not make the final decisions
Barely two weeks before the accident, Justice Govindaraj noted, the school had sent in a complaint about the danger posed by the tree.
Departments must designate a nodal officer to ensure reported hazards are verified, assigned, addressed, recorded and closed within the stipulated time Authorities must identify locations where public safety hazards repeatedly occur and subject them to periodic inspections You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Bengaluru | Silver Rate in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru | Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Petrol Price in Bengaluru | Diesel Price in Bengaluru | CNG Price in Bengaluru | LPG Price in Bengaluru Stay updated with the latest Bengaluru news. Download the TOI App.