JOIN US On April 19, following the brief spell of showers, a portion of the ill-fated compound wall collapsed. Following the collapse of 10-15 metres of the same wall, the traffic police had tried stopping the vehicles from parking at the fateful spot where Prakash, the victim of the wall collapse, was present on Saturday night.
"Prior warnings of an imminent danger with a portion of the same wall collapsing four days ago seems to have gone unheeded," said the source. As if that matters, BBMP officials state that the victim was in an inebriated state when the wall collapsed.
According to Palike officials, the stretch around the Freedom Park has been a hot spot for nefarious activities for a long time to which the police seem to have turned a 'blind eye'.
The tragic death of Prakash has, however, failed to move the BBMP which now appears to have been cornered. According to officers, the wall collapse came in for discussion at a high level meeting on Sunday, with queries from Home Minister Ashoka and BWSSB Minister Suresh Kumar eliciting from the Palike Commissioner response that the wall was old and in a dilapidated condition.
"The 12- year-old compound wall was certain to fall. Due to the water flooding at the base every year, the foundation seemed to have weakened which resulted in the collapse on Sunday.
The tragedy was that Prakash was at the wrong place at the wrong time," remarked an official. Grossly at fault, BBMP is yet to take a decision on providing compensation to Prakash’s family.