Bangalore: NU Erappa promoted after major mishap causing death

It's a paradox indeed. The man elevated to the post of deputy director, inspection (high-rise buildings), is accused of causing a death owing to negligence, that too during a mock safety drill.

NU Erappa was the chief fire officer during the safety drill in the city two years ago when a woman fell and died (see box) during the evacuation exercise. He was accused of causing death owing to negligence. The charges against him have not been cleared yet. In this light, his promotion has came as a rude shock to many.

Responding to Erappa's elevation, Om Prakash, director general of police (fire and emergency services), said it is not him, but the government that is responsible for the promotion. Referring to the 2012 mishap, he said the departmental inquiry had found Erappa to be negligent. The report had recommended that three officers, including Erappa, not be given increment for two years.

Never mind if immediately two years after the mishap, the accused got a promotion even as he continues to face the charge. And why has no, or little, action has been take against him?

Prakash said no one from the police station concerned, RMC Yard police, approached him till date to seek his nod for Erappa's prosecution. Sandeep Patil, DCP (North), told dna the police have sent a request to the authorities concerned to seek permission to go ahead with prosecution of the four officers involved in the February 2012 mishap. He said the police sent the request on Saturday evening itself.

He did not tell if he sent the request to Prakash. He said he has forwarded the request, as per norms, to "higher authorities".