Home dept seeks report on Harshali’s death

The home department and the city police commissioner have sought a report on the death of a three-year-old girl who died after falling into a pile of burning garbage in police quarters near Shivajinagar.

Harshali, daughter of Lokeshappa (38), a constable attached with Cubbon Park traffic police station, accidentally fell into the fire while playing on March 5 and suffered burn injuries. After battling for life for eight days at Victoria Hospital, she succumbed to her injuries on March 13 even though she suffered just 30% burns.

Speaking to DH, Lokeshappa, presently in his native in Arsikere, Hassan, said he is deeply hurt as no one from the police department had visited them despite a memo being given to Shivajinagar station.

Lokeshappa said that a couple of senior officers - one of them being Rahul Kumar Shahapurwad, DCP (East) - contacted him after media reported about the incident on Tuesday.

He said that Home Minister M B Patil had sought a detailed report into the case.

Meanwhile, City Police Commissioner T Suneel Kumar tweeted about the incident.

“Bengaluru police deeply mourns the sad demise of Harshali in this time of grief. We stand by our Head Constable Lokeshappa and his family. Senior officers of the rank of DCP have visited the place. Action will be initiated against errant,” read the tweet.