BMC Rejects Tree Collapse Report, Initiates New Probe Into Boy’s Death

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has rejected its internal inquiry report into the tree collapse incident that killed an 11-year-old student in Chembur and ordered a fresh independent investigation into the tragedy. Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawade directed the civic administration to appoint a third-party agency to examine the circumstances leading to the accident and identify accountability among all responsible parties. The decision comes after concerns were raised over the findings of the initial probe report.

The incident occurred on June 30 when a peepal tree was uprooted and fell onto a moving school bus in Chembur (West), killing student Vihaan Srivastav. Following the incident, the BMC had formed a three-member inquiry committee to investigate the cause of the tree collapse and determine whether any negligence contributed to the accident. The committee submitted its report on Monday, recommending penalties of Rs 5 lakh on the road work contractor and Rs 2 lakh on the supervising project management consultant.

The inquiry report reportedly found no prima facie negligence by the BMC's Roads and Gardens departments. However, during a general body meeting, Leader of the House Ganesh Khankar opposed the findings and alleged that the report attempted to protect civic officials. He questioned why road department authorities failed to take corrective action despite earlier warnings from the Garden Department that excavation activities had weakened the tree's roots. He demanded an independent investigation into the matter.

Also Read: Dadar Sees Tree Collapse During Mumbai Rains, No Casualties Reported

Mayor Ritu Tawade also expressed dissatisfaction with the inquiry findings, stating that neither she nor the chairperson of the Garden Committee had received the report before it was submitted. She said the investigation did not adequately address the responsibility of civic departments and directed officials to appoint an independent agency for a fresh probe. According to Tawade, accountability should not be limited to contractors and consultants involved in the work.

Tawade said that payment of compensation alone would not provide justice to the victim's family and called for responsibility to be fixed across departments. She criticised the report for holding only the contractor and project management consultant accountable while excluding the BMC's Roads and Gardens departments from blame. The mayor said the role of officials, including the roads department's site engineer, should also be examined as part of the renewed investigation.

Also Read: #JUSTIN: BMC Inspection Finds Weakened Core Roots in Tree That Killed Schoolboy