BBMP to raze some houses in Ejipura as precaution

The BBMP has decided to demolish a few houses on 9th Cross, Gundappa Layout, Ejipura following a house collapse on Monday.

BBMP senior officers visited the spot after the tragedy and took a decision in this regard.

Many houses in the locality were built around 30 years ago, while a few were built recently using low-quality construction material.

Krishnaveni, daughter of Kalavathi, one of the victims, in a complaint with the Vivekangar police said that the incident occurred due to the negligence of building owner S Gunesh.

"The building was constructed about 45 years ago. Gunesh constructed one house. Later, he built another house on top of it. About six months ago, he constructed a makeshift shed on top of the first-floor house," Raju, Gunesh's relative said.

The police have booked Gunesh under IPC Sections 336 (endangering life or personal safety of others), 338 (causing grievous hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others) and 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder).

It took some time for many local residents to realise that the building had collapsed following an explosion.

There is an electric transformer at the 10th Cross which often gives out a sound like an explosion, they said.

"It's a regular feature for us to hear the sound of an explosion at the transformer," Anu, a local resident told DH.

"For a while, we thought there was an explosion at the transformer. Seconds later, we heard a big thud. We rushed outside and spotted the debris," James, a local resident narrated.

Locals alleged that despite pleading with Bescom officials several times about the problem, there has been no respite.