High Court awards large compensation, issues safety directions
Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court has ordered civic authorities and the forest unit to jointly pay ₹2.8 crore in compensation to a Bengaluru resident who sustained severe spinal injuries after a tree branch fell on him in March this year, causing permanent disability, according to the court order dated Sept 18.
Justice Suraj Govindaraj partly allowed the petitioner’s claim for ₹5 crore and directed payment of ₹2.7 crore plus 6% interest by the commissioner of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), now the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), and the Deputy Conservator of Forests (forest unit of BBMP). The court noted that ₹5 lakh had already been paid to the injured man, identified as G Chandan, and said that a separate ₹3 lakh paid by Good Shepherd School’s management need not be deducted from the award.
Chandan was on his way to work around 10 am on March 7 when a projecting branch of a Gulmohar tree from the premises of Good Shepherd School reportedly fell on his neck. The court observed that the accident left him with a spinal injury that has significantly impaired his mobility and physical independence.
“spinal injury has impaired his mobility and physical independence, altering his manner of living,”
The bench recorded that after six months of treatment the petitioner had incurred medical expenses of around ₹26 lakh and was assessed as having 85% disability, a condition the court said would continue for the remainder of his life.
Liability, duty and failure of preventive action
The court noted that barely two weeks before the accident the school had itself sent a complaint flagging the danger posed by the tree, yet no remedial action was taken. While recognising the tree stood on private property, the judge said this did not absolve BBMP of liability and criticised the civic body for failing to state what caused the branch to fall.
The bench has also recorded the school’s undertaking to continue providing free education to the petitioner’s daughter until she completes Class 12, and reiterated this commitment in the order.
Directions to authorities and compliance hearing
Beyond the monetary award, the court has issued a sequence of general directions aimed at improving detection and response to public safety hazards involving trees and other urban infrastructure. The matter has been listed for further compliance verification on Jan 5, when authorities have been asked to report their adherence to the directions.
- Payment directions: BBMP/GBA and DCF to pay ₹2.7 crore plus 6% interest; ₹5 lakh already accounted for.
- School commitments: continue free education for petitioner’s daughter up to Class 12; ₹3 lakh paid by school not to be deducted.
- Safety orders: state and local authorities to implement public hazard detection and reporting mechanisms; compliance to be reported on Jan 5.
The court emphasised the continuing effect of the disability on the petitioner’s life and took into account his pre-accident earnings. Chandan was employed in the private sector and drawing a monthly salary of ₹41,212 at the time of the incident, the order noted.
Compensation breakdown
| Particulars | Amount |
|---|---|
| Compensation awarded by HC | ₹2.7 crore + 6% interest |
| Amount already paid to petitioner | ₹5 lakh |
| Amount paid by school (not to be deducted) | ₹3 lakh |
| Petitioner’s medical expenses reported | ₹26 lakh |
Legal analysts say the case highlights the tension between private landownership, institutional responsibility and municipal obligations in a rapidly urbanising city where mature trees often line roads and school compounds. The court’s observations that BBMP did not state the cause of the branch failure point to gaps in routine tree inspection and record-keeping.
Local impact and wider implications
For Bengaluru residents, the order underscores municipal accountability for public safety even when hazards originate on private property. The directions to create mechanisms for receiving reports of safety hazards from multiple sources aim to streamline how complaints from citizens, schools or local bodies are acted upon.
The court has sought a formal compliance report from the authorities by the next listed date. If implemented, the measures could lead to strengthened tree-safety protocols, better inter-agency coordination and clearer liability norms for educational institutions that maintain large campus trees.
Next hearing is scheduled for Jan 5, when the court will review the steps taken by BBMP/GBA, the forest unit and the school to comply with the order.
Reporting from Bengaluru.
