Mangaluru: Nearly one-and-a-half years after a landslide at Uru Mane in Manjanady village of Ullal taluk claimed the lives of a woman and two children, no FIR has been registered against those responsible for the incident. A report by experts from the National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK) identified possible negligence during road construction as one of the factors that may have contributed to the tragedy, but no action has yet been initiated against the engineers concerned.
The delay has raised questions about accountability, with the district administration yet to determine whom to hold responsible. Meanwhile, the case is before the Karnataka Human Rights Commission, which has directed the Mangaluru City police commissioner to submit the final investigation report by December 7. The next hearing has been scheduled for December 16.
NITK report identifies three possible contributing factors
Following the incident, an initial investigation involving engineers was undertaken but remained incomplete. Subsequently, Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner Darshan H V directed NITK experts to inspect the site and examine the circumstances that may have led to the landslide.
The experts inspected the location on January 13, 2026, and submitted their findings to the district administration. The report was also forwarded to the police department.
The experts identified three possible contributing factors: heavy and continuous rainfall, excavation at the foot of the slope for house construction, and excavation undertaken for road construction.
During the inspection, the team assessed the site conditions, gathered information from local residents, examined the landslide-affected area and studied the exposed soil and characteristics of the debris. The experts also considered changes made to the site before the incident.
According to the report, the affected area comprised a steep natural slope with laterite soil. Excavation for roadwork and house construction had disturbed the lower portion of the slope, potentially affecting its stability.
The report also highlighted inadequate surface and subsurface drainage. Continuous rainfall had contributed to soil saturation and softening, which may have increased the risk of slope failure.
However, the report did not conclusively attribute the landslide to road construction alone or establish a single definitive cause.
No FIR against engineers despite report
Despite the findings being submitted to the police, no FIR has reportedly been registered against the engineers associated with the road construction work.
The absence of a clear determination of responsibility has complicated the investigation. According to Deputy Commissioner Darshan H V, the roadwork had continued for five years, creating uncertainty over whom an FIR should name.
He said the case required proper examination and indicated that an inquiry headed by a retired judge would be conducted if necessary.
The Deputy Commissioner also observed that a road was not required at the landslide site in Manjanady and that adequate precautions should have been taken during construction. At the same time, he reiterated that the NITK report had not concluded that road construction alone caused the landslide.
With the investigation yet to reach a clear conclusion, the district administration and the Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat chief executive officer have reportedly discussed the possibility of an inquiry by a retired judge.
Human Rights Commission seeks final report
The case has been taken up by the Human Rights Commission for a hearing before its full bench. The commission has examined a report previously submitted by the Mangaluru City police commissioner.
The commissioner has now been issued a notice directing him to submit the final investigation report by December 7. The next hearing is scheduled for December 16.
Deputy Commissioner Darshan H V said further action would be taken in accordance with the commission’s directions. He added that the need for a retired judge’s inquiry would be considered if required.
The commission’s proceedings are expected to be significant in determining the next steps in a case that has remained unresolved despite the site inspection and expert report.
Police cite rainfall and house construction
Mangaluru City Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy said the police had inspected the site and conducted an investigation following the incident. An Unnatural Death Report (UDR) had also been registered, and the investigation report had been submitted to the High Court.
According to the commissioner, the NITK report did not conclusively establish any single cause for the landslide. He pointed out that the report also referred to excavation of the hillside for house construction.
The commissioner said the excavation carried out by the affected family to build its house was also a factor that needed consideration. He further cited exceptionally heavy rainfall, described as the heaviest in 25 years, as a major contributing factor.
The differing aspects highlighted by the authorities have added to the uncertainty surrounding accountability. While the expert report identified several possible causes, including road construction, the police have maintained that the findings do not establish one definitive cause.
Activist alleges officials are being protected
Activist Ravi has alleged that officials responsible for negligence are being shielded from action. He said the NITK report had referred to possible negligence, yet no action had been taken against those concerned.
He also claimed that the lack of action was affecting the proceedings and said representations had been submitted to the Deputy Commissioner and the police department on several occasions.
The allegations have renewed questions about why responsibility has not been established despite the expert inspection and the submission of the report to the authorities.
Housing assistance planned for affected family
Alongside the investigation, the district administration is considering steps to provide a residential site to the affected family. The proposal is expected to be confirmed only after the site is formally allotted.
The administration is treating the family as a special case, particularly because Ashwini lost both her legs in the incident. Efforts are being made to identify a house or residential site close to a road to improve accessibility and make daily movement easier.
While the proposed housing assistance could offer some relief to the family, questions over the cause of the landslide and accountability for the deaths remain unresolved.
With the Human Rights Commission seeking the final investigation report by December 7, attention will now be on whether the authorities can establish responsibility and determine the appropriate course of action.