Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde has rejected the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) inquiry report into the June 30 tree collapse in Chembur that claimed the life of an 11-year-old schoolboy. Calling the findings "unacceptable", the Mayor has ordered a fresh investigation and directed the civic administration to submit a revised report.
The incident occurred when a large peepal tree fell on a school bus in Chembur, killing 11-year-old Vihaan Srivastav. A three-member BMC inquiry committee had submitted its report last week, concluding that no civic department was directly responsible for the tragedy. Instead, it recommended imposing a total penalty of INR 7 lakh on the contractor and consultant involved in nearby stormwater drain works.
Speaking during the BMC General Body meeting, Mayor Tawde criticised the report for failing to fix accountability despite the loss of a child's life. She alleged that the inquiry appeared to shield civic officials, particularly those from the Roads and Gardens departments, and said such a report could not be accepted. She instructed the administration to conduct a fresh probe and identify those responsible.
The issue also drew sharp criticism from ruling party members, who questioned whether a INR 7 lakh penalty was an adequate response to a fatal accident. They demanded an independent inquiry, arguing that responsibility for the incident had not been clearly established.
Responding to the criticism, Additional Municipal Commissioner Avinash Dhakane said the investigation had been carried out by an independent committee of senior officials rather than the Gardens Department. According to the committee, the 60–70-year-old tree had suffered extensive internal decay and damaged roots, making it difficult to predict exactly when it would collapse. He added that while the BMC regularly identifies and prunes hazardous trees, such efforts often face objections from environmental groups.
Despite the administration's explanation, the Mayor reiterated that the report failed to adequately address accountability and formally sent it back for a fresh investigation.