‘Chitradurga water contamination case amounts to maladministration’: Lokayukta takes suo moto cognizance after two deaths

It noted the deaths of Manjula (23) and Raghavendra (25) in Chitradurga and Bengaluru hospitals respectively. However, according to reports, another resident Praveen (25) has since died in Davangere, and according to authorities, 149 have fallen ill after consuming contaminated water.

Recommending ‘disciplinary’ action against officers who have shown negligence in duty, the Lokayukta highlighted violation of the right to life under Article 21 and maladministration under the Karnataka Lokayukta Act, 1984.

“Prima-facie it indicates that there was failure/negligence on the part of the concerned authorities in providing pure and safe drinking water to the residents of the said area. As a result, two persons died and 41 people have been hospitalized. It is relevant to point that it is the duty and obligation of the concerned City Municipality to provide pure and safe drinking water to the residents within its jurisdiction,” the Lokayukta observed.

Notices have been issued to Urban Development Department officials, the deputy commissioner, Chitradurga district, the district health officer, municipal authorities, and engineers.

The FSL report found the water had Vibrio Cholerae bacteria. Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner GRJ Divya Prabhu has suspended a Group-D employee, while two wall-men (contract employees) have been terminated from the service. In a letter to the Department of Urban Development, Prabhu has also recommended the suspension of an assistant executive engineer and a junior engineer. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has also ordered a detailed probe into the incident and directed the suspension of the officials concerned. Two FIRs have also been registered in connection with the incident — one in Chitradurga Rural and another in Bengaluru City.