The incident of the Namma Metro pillar collapse that resulted in the tragic loss of Tejaswini L Sulakhe and her two and a half-year-old son, Vihan, is undoubtedly a devastating event. The petitioner, Lohitkumar V Sulakhe, who lost his wife and child in the incident, has filed a petition seeking ₹10 crore in compensation for the loss suffered. The Karnataka High Court has accepted the petition and issued notices to various parties, including the state government, Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL), and others involved in the construction and management of the metro project.
Lohitkumar alleges that the accident occurred due to the negligence of the BMRCL authorities. He argues that the compensation offered by the BMRCL, which is ₹20 lakh, is inadequate given the severity of the loss and the respondents’ alleged inaction, insufficient safety measures, and carelessness. Tejaswini, who was a software engineer and the main breadwinner for the family, had recently moved into a flat purchased on loan, making the compensation offered by BMRCL appear insufficient to support her family.
The petitioner emphasizes that the respondents in the case lacked knowledge of safety precautions and were careless, which led to the tragic loss of two innocent lives. To support Tejaswini’s family, Lohitkumar is urging for a compensation of ₹10 crore.
The court has adjourned the case after issuing notices to the respondents and instructed them to present their objections. Other respondents in the petition include key officials of BMRCL, the insurance company involved, and the construction company responsible for the project.
The legal proceedings will continue with the respondents presenting their submissions and arguments. The court will ultimately decide on the compensation amount and determine if any party involved in the incident is liable for the loss suffered by the petitioner.