Bengaluru: An FIR was lodged by the family of a 23-year-old software engineer who tragically lost her life when the multi-utility vehicle (MUV) she was travelling in submerged in the flooded K. R. Circle underpass. The complaint alleges negligence on the part of BBMP (Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike) officials and the MUV driver Harish Gowda, as the causes of her death.
Halasurgate Police have registered a case based on the complaint filed by the deceased, Bathula Bhanu Rekha’s elder brother, Bathula Sandeep. The case has been filed under IPC section 304 A, which pertains to negligence causing death. Police authorities are in the process of obtaining details from BBMP regarding the officials involved and are progressing with the arrest of driver Harish Gowda.
Under IPC section 304 A, the accused is eligible for station bail because it is a bailable offence, according to a senior police officer. The investigation is still ongoing, and the police will respond as needed in light of the results.
According to Sandeep, there are no accusations made against the hospital in the complaint. Following claims that doctors delayed treating patients for almost 15 minutes, hospital CCTV evidence has been examined. The officer explained that Rekha and Sandeep came to the hospital in an autorickshaw at about 4:09 p.m. She was pronounced dead after hospital staff members quickly fetched the necessary tools and performed an ECG in the autorickshaw. Rekha was then brought inside the hospital and put on a bed. Allegations were made by certain regional media personnel and the autorickshaw driver regarding the doctors’ alleged inaction, but the officer clarified that Rekha had already been declared dead.
“If the family files a complaint against the doctors, appropriate action will be taken”, the officer added.
The investigation is ongoing, and further updates will be provided. Rekha, who had been working at Infosys for almost a year, was showing her family members around the city when the tragic incident occurred. They were in a rented MUV, visiting various landmarks, and were heading towards Corporation Circle when the vehicle was submerged in the waterlogged underpass at KR Circle.
Driver Harish Gowda claimed that he had suggested taking the road adjacent to the flyover, but the family insisted on going through the underpass. The police are currently verifying his claims, stated another senior officer.