Parents File Criminal Complaint Against BWSSB Officials After Tragic Death of 14-Year-Old Boy
In a heartbreaking development in Bengaluru, the parents of a 14-year-old boy who was found dead inside an open pipeline sump have taken legal action against officials of the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB). The tragic incident occurred near Thathaguni in south Bengaluru, where the boy's body was discovered on Sunday, leading to allegations of gross negligence against the water authority.
Disappearance and Tragic Discovery
The deceased, identified as R Preetam, was a resident of Thathaguni who went missing last Wednesday. His father, Rajaneekanth, who works as housekeeping staff, promptly filed a missing person complaint with Kaggalipura police the following day. Despite efforts by law enforcement, the boy could not be located until Sunday, when his body was tragically found in a deep sump along the crucial Cauvery water corridor.
Allegations of Negligence and Police Investigation
The grieving parents have strongly alleged that the BWSSB sump had been left uncovered for an extended period, creating a serious safety hazard for residents in the area. Police officials have confirmed that preliminary findings support these negligence claims. A senior police officer stated, "Prima facie, there was no cover on the pipeline sump. Signs on the surface clearly indicate that the cover has been missing for a considerable time. It appears the boy slipped into the sump through the opening."
Authorities have registered a case and launched a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident. The police are examining all aspects of the case to determine responsibility and ensure appropriate legal action is taken.
BWSSB's Response and Conflicting Claims
In response to the allegations, BWSSB officials have presented a different perspective on the infrastructure involved. The water authority claims the structure was not a sump but rather a covered wall chamber designed for pipeline maintenance. A local BWSSB engineer explained that after the pipeline project's completion in October 2024, the department conducted multiple inspection walks along the water corridor.
The engineer asserted that the chamber, which is approximately 20 feet deep and built for a three-meter-diameter pipeline, had not been accessed or altered since installation. "The chamber is normally sealed with a heavy concrete slab that cannot be removed by one person," the engineer emphasized, adding that during a routine inspection on January 10, the lid was found intact and properly closed.
Infrastructure Details and Official Statements
The pipeline in question forms an essential part of the 70-kilometer Cauvery water corridor that runs from T K Halli to Vajarahalli via Thathaguni, supplying water to Bengaluru city. BWSSB chairman Ram Prasath Manohar revealed that there are over 60 similar covered wall chambers along this critical pipeline network.
Manohar addressed the situation, stating, "We don't know how the slab lid disappeared. Our team, in coordination with police authorities, is thoroughly investigating the matter. Appropriate action will be taken based on the investigation findings."
Community Impact and Safety Concerns
This tragic incident has raised significant concerns about infrastructure safety and maintenance protocols in Bengaluru. The death of a young boy in what appears to be a preventable accident has highlighted the importance of proper safety measures around public utility installations.
Residents in the Thathaguni area and surrounding neighborhoods are now questioning the maintenance practices of essential services and calling for stricter safety protocols to prevent similar tragedies in the future. The case has drawn attention to the need for regular inspections and immediate rectification of potential hazards in public infrastructure.
As the investigation continues, authorities face mounting pressure to determine exactly how this safety breach occurred and who bears responsibility for the tragic outcome that has left a family devastated and a community demanding answers.
