Archive · 8 Sep 2026
BMC Extends Chembur Tree-Fall Probe Deadline After Boy’s Death
A tree fell on a school bus in Chembur on June 30.
Eleven-year-old Vihan Shrivastav died, and four other children were hurt.
The BMC first investigated the accident.
Its first report did not initially blame the roads and garden department, but it did fine contractors for negligence.
The BMC general body was not satisfied with that report.
It ordered a new investigation by botany expert Dr Sanjay Deshmukh.
The new committee had been expected to finish by August 30.
It has now been given until September 30 to submit its findings.
The BMC extended the deadline for its Chembur tree-fall re-investigation report to September 30.
The one-member committee, led by botany expert Dr Sanjay Deshmukh, requested more time to complete its findings.
The re-investigation began after the BMC general body rejected the administration’s preliminary report on July 30.
The preliminary report cleared the roads and garden department prima facie but fined contractors for negligence.
Eleven-year-old Vihan Shrivastav died and four other children were injured when a Peepal tree fell on their school bus on June 30.
- Who
- The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, its general body, Dr Sanjay Deshmukh, 11-year-old Vihan Shrivastav, and four other children were involved in the reported investigation and incident.
- What
- A one-member expert committee investigating the fatal Chembur tree fall has received a deadline extension for its report.
- When
- The tree fall occurred on June 30, the preliminary report was rejected on July 30, and the new report is now due by September 30, 2026.
- Where
- Chembur, Mumbai, where a roadside Peepal tree fell on a school bus.
- Why
- The committee requested additional time to study the evidence and investigate the incident independently after the BMC general body rejected the preliminary report.
Review Advocates
Preliminary Findings
Accountability for municipal officials
Review Advocates
The BMC general body rejected the preliminary report because it did not recommend action against the responsible officers or engineers, and it ordered an independent re-investigation.
Preliminary Findings
The preliminary two-member committee gave the roads and garden department a prima facie clean chit while fining contractors for negligence.
Scope of the investigation
Review Advocates
The new committee is examining the evidence, methodology, root cause, interim measures, recommendations, and possible policy reforms across areas including botany, engineering, ecology, drainage, soil science, meteorology, and public administration.
Preliminary Findings
The preliminary report was produced by a two-member committee of deputy municipal commissioners and was considered insufficient by the BMC general body.
- New report deadline
- September 30, 2026
- Incident date
- June 30, 2026
- Fatality
- 11-year-old Vihan Shrivastav
- Other casualties
- Four children were injured
- Investigation chair
- Dr Sanjay Deshmukh, a botany expert and former Mumbai University Vice Chancellor
- Initial report
- It gave the roads and garden department a prima facie clean chit and fined contractors for negligence
- Reason for extension
- The one-member committee requested additional time to study and submit its findings