BJP MLA demands culpable homicide case against BMC officer over Kurla tree fall death

Mumbai BJP president and MLA Ameet Satam has demanded that the Assistant Commissioner of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) L Ward be booked for culpable homicide following a fatal tree fall accident in the Naupada area of Kurla West. Satam held the civic officer responsible for the death, attributing it to a failure to carry out timely and proper tree pruning in the locality.

According to Satam, BMC Health Committee chairman Harish Bhandirge had previously submitted a list of 17 locations in Ward No. 164 where dangerous trees required urgent pruning in May 2026. The list specifically included the Naupada area. Bhandirge had submitted a written representation to the L Ward Assistant Commissioner seeking immediate action and warning that the civic administration would be held responsible if any untoward incident occurred during the monsoon.

Satam stated that a reminder was later sent to the Assistant Commissioner after the initial representation received no response. Despite these warnings, the BMC administration allegedly failed to act, leaving the identified dangerous trees unpruned. Satam argued that this administrative negligence directly led to the fatal accident.

The BJP leader also highlighted that the same L Ward Assistant Commissioner was already linked to another incident of alleged negligence last week, which involved an open manhole death in Sakinaka.

Citing the officer's previous record and the recurrence of serious incidents, Satam demanded the immediate initiation of criminal proceedings and a culpable homicide case.

Beyond the immediate case, Satam called for a comprehensive, scientific approach to tree pruning and management across Mumbai to prevent future fatalities. He urged senior civic officials to leave their offices to conduct on-ground inspections and implement effective safety measures for citizens, particularly during the monsoon season.