AC, tahsildar, DySP, 7 officials booked for truck driver’s death in illegal quarry in Karnataka

Upa Lokayukta Justice B. Veerappa has suo motu initiated a probe into the death of a 38-year-old truck driver at an alleged illegal quarry in Nagamangala taluk of Mandya district in Karnataka. A case was registered against the jurisdictional Assistant Commissioner, tahsildar, Deputy Superintendent of Police, and seven other officials for dereliction of duty.

The action follows a report published on the website of a Kannada daily on December 26, 2025, stating that a truck loaded with construction stones plunged into a gorge at a stone-crushing unit near Jataka Gate, within the limits of Bellur police station in Nagamangala taluk. The accident resulted in the death of the driver, Lakshmana, on the spot.

Taking cognisance of the report, the Upa Lokayukta observed that the incident allegedly occurred due to the negligence of the owner of the stone-crushing unit where labourers were reportedly working under “pathetic conditions”. It was also noted that both quarry owners and labourers had failed to adhere to mandatory safety measures.

The Upa Lokayukta observed that despite the presence of a nearly 40-foot-deep gorge adjacent to the route taken by the truck, the quarry owner had failed to construct a compound wall, or any protective barrier.

The order took note of the alleged inaction by officials of the Department of Mines and Geology even though quarry and crusher operators reportedly carried out activities in violation of prescribed rules and regulations.

Referring to similar fatalities at quarries in the past — where suo motu cases had been registered and investigations conducted before compensation was paid to families of the deceased — the Upa Lokayukta directed that a suo motu case be registered in this instance as well.

“For the purpose of redressal of grievance and to examine whether there was any inaction or maladministration on the part of the authorities concerned of the State, and for proper redressal of the grievance in question, it is just and necessary to implead the officials mentioned below,” the Upa Lokayukta stated.

The officials named in the case are:

• Assistant Commissioner, Pandavapura sub-division

• Tahsildar, Nagamangala taluk

• Deputy Superintendent of Police, Nagamangala sub-division

• Deputy Director, Department of Mines and Geology, Mandya

• Senior Geologist, Mandya

• Regional Transport Officer, Mandya

• Labour Officer, Mandya

• Labour Inspector, Nagamangala taluk

• Executive Officer, Nagamangala taluk panchayat

• Panchayat Officer of Nelligere Gram Panchayat