Ashraf Azmi Demands Fresh Probe Into Fatal Chembur Tree Fall After BMC Report
Congress group leader in the BMC, Ashraf Azmi, has demanded a fresh independent investigation into the fatal June 30 tree-fall incident near Diamond Garden in Chembur, Mumbai, calling the civic body's official inquiry report "legally unsustainable."
The tree collapse resulted in the death of 11-year-old Vihaan Srivastava when a mature peepal tree fell onto a school bus.
Azmi sent a letter to the civic administration two days after the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) accepted the inquiry committee's report. The report gave a clean chit to the civic roads and garden departments while imposing a collective ₹7-lakh penalty on the contractor and consultant who were constructing a storm-water drain near the tree.
In his letter, Azmi criticized the report for failing to establish why the tree toppled. He stated that the safety of Mumbai's citizens and schoolchildren cannot be compromised by "incomplete inquiries" or "symbolic penalties."
The BMC's inquiry committee had pointed to lapses in excavation work near the tree but also suggested that heavy rainfall and strong winds contributed to the collapse. Azmi argued that the report relied on "probable" causes rather than scientific facts. He noted that the inquiry lacked a root cause analysis, geotechnical assessment, structural root examination, underground root mapping, or forensic study to evaluate the impact of the excavation on the tree's stability.
Furthermore, Azmi questioned why no civic officials were held accountable. The inquiry committee itself acknowledged that the garden department had repeatedly warned the roads department about risks to the tree during the stormwater drain project.
Azmi argued that the report "illegally" exonerated these departments based on mere correspondence between them. He emphasized that communication does not absolve statutory authorities of their duty to protect roadside trees during infrastructure work. He criticized the committee for failing to recommend departmental action against engineers and supervisory officers.
The Congress leader also questioned the basis of the ₹7-lakh penalty, noting that the report did not explain the contractual provisions used to calculate the fine or assess the level of negligence and risk to human life.
Azmi urged the BMC to make the entire inquiry report, inspection records, photographs, excavation drawings, technical opinions, and contractor compliance reports public.
