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Khar tree collapse: Developer booked for negligence, two girls still critical
On May 10, 2026, two trees at a construction site in Khar collapsed onto an autorickshaw, injuring two passengers. On May 11, the police booked Bluestone Properties for negligence and the BMC urged action, citing debris around the trees. By May 12, the injured girls remained in ICU on ventilator support, with the developer denying responsibility and cooperating with investigators.
Why It Matters
The incident raises questions about construction-site safety practices and regulatory oversight of urban tree protection, potential negligence, and how authorities respond to such collapses.
Timeline
4 Events
Victims' condition update and developer's response
May 12, 2026
Harshita Kumar (21) and Aarika Shrivastava (15) remained on ventilator support in the ICU with critical head injuries, after undergoing late-night surgery to clear brain clots. Doctors gave an initial 48-hour monitoring window. Manaswi Shrivastava (19) had minor injuries, and the autorickshaw driver had rushed the victims to the hospital before going missing, reportedly fearing police action. Bluestone Properties director Uday Jasani denied that construction activity caused the collapse, saying the tree was old, termite-infested, and fully protected, and that the company is cooperating with authorities.
BMC action warning and potential SRA involvement
May 11, 2026
BMC officials stated that the developer had not sought permission to cut trees on its 1,513 square-metre site. They alleged stone rubble was stacked along the tree trunks, placing pressure on the trees and causing them to tilt toward the road. The BMC also indicated that the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) would need to consider further action since the site is part of an SRA project with approvals; SRA chief executive officer Mahendra Kalyankar did not respond to queries.
Police book developer Bluestone Properties for negligence
May 11, 2026
The Khar police registered an FIR against Bluestone Properties Pvt Ltd under sections 125(b) and 281 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for grievous hurt through rash or negligent acts. Senior Police Inspector Sanjeev Dhumal said the investigation would determine responsibility. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) also wrote to the Khar police recommending action against the firm, alleging debris dumped around the base of the trees contributed to their lean and collapse.
Incident: Two trees collapse onto auto-rickshaw in Khar
May 10, 2026
On Sunday evening, a gulmohar and a cannonball tree at Bluestone Properties' construction site on Linking Road near Rajkumar Jewellers in Khar collapsed onto an autorickshaw. Passengers Harshita Kumar (21) and Aarika Shrivastava (15) sustained grievous head injuries and were rushed to P D Hinduja Hospital; the rickshaw driver and Manaswi Shrivastava (19) escaped with minor injuries. Police noted there was no heavy rain or strong winds at the time.