Siddarth Sethia
Nearly a month after the tragic wall collapse at the premises of Bowring and Lady Curzon Hospital that claimed seven lives,the Commercial Street police have registered an FIR against a contractor and his company on charges including causing death due to negligence.
The case was registered based on a complaint filed by Chandru,Executive Engineer with the Health and Family Welfare Engineering Wing,Arogya Soudha on Wednesday .
According to the complaint,the Karnataka government had constituted a technical committee to probe the April incident in which seven people were killed after a retaining wall and compound structure collapsed inside the premises of the Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute campus during demolition work linked to the construction of a new nursing college and research institute building.
The FIR names ASR Traders based in Chennai.
Investigators alleged that the contractor had been entrusted with demolition work in 2017,but failed to properly clear debris and dismantled materials from the site,leaving behind unsafe structures and loose earth that allegedly contributed to the collapse.
Officials said notices seeking an explanation were sent to the contractor through email on May 14,directing him to respond before May 18.However, authorities claimed no response was received from the firm.
The complaint further stated that senior government officials who inspected the site found serious lapses in safety and demolition practices and recommended criminal action against the contractor for negligence and violation of safety norms.
The complaint stated that demolition work of old buildings at the premises earmarked for the construction of the new nursing college and research institute building of the Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute had been entrusted to ASR Traders.
However,it was alleged that the contractor failed to scientifically clear and dispose of the demolished structures and debris,instead leaving them abandoned at the site,which reportedly contributed to the mishap.
Following an inspection by senior government officials at the Bowring Hospital premises,authorities observed serious lapses and recommended criminal action against the contractor.
The complaint alleged that the contractor failed to properly remove and scientifically dispose of the demolished structures and debris,instead leaving the materials abandoned at the site.Authorities claimed this negligence contributed to the fatal incident.
Officials further stated that a notice seeking an explanation was issued to Channaveerappa of ASR Traders on May 14, 2026,directing him to submit a reply by May 18, 2026.
The notice was reportedly sent through the official email address.However,the authorities alleged that no response was received from the contractor or the company.
The Police have now initiated legal proceedings and further investigation into the incident is underway.
