K. A. SWAMI, J. ( 1 ) IN this petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, Majalise muntasima Khudad, Tippu Nagar, Chamarajpet, Bangalore, has sought for issue of a writ in the nature of mandamus directing the 1st Respondent to hold an enquiry into the gas tragedy that occurred at Tippunagar, Bangalore, on 5-2-1988 and submit a report recommending compensation to be paid to the victims. The petitioner has also sought for issue of a direction to Respondents-2 to 4 to give compensation to all the victims and their kith and kin as may be recommended by the enquiring authority and for such other writs or direction as may be deemed fit in the circumstances of the case. ( 2 ) THUS this is a public interest litigation filed by the aforesaid Association to secure relief to the members of the families of the deceased and also to the injured in the gas tragedy which took place on 5-2-1988 at Tippunagar in Chamarajpet. ( 3 ) RESPONDENT No. 1 is the State of Karnataka, Respondent No. 2 is Hindusthan Petroleum Ltd. Rcspondent-2 under takes to fill gas cylinders at the instance of respondent-30. Respondent-30 Bharath Petroleum Corporation Ltd. , is a supplier. Respondent-4 is a distributor concerned in the case. Respondent-3 is the Insurance company with which according to the case of the distributor, it has insured to cover the risk concerned in the case. However, respondent-3 docs not accept the case of respondent-4. Thus the contesting Respondents are Respondent Nos. 2, 3, 4 and 30. The remaining Respondents are some of the claimants. ( 4 ) THE incident in question took place on 5-2-1988 at about 1-30 p. m. Sri ramakrishna, an employee of Respondent No. 4 carried one cylinder filled with gas, to deliver it to one Sri K. Sabecr Ahmed, residing at House No. 211, I Main, II Cross, tippunagar, Chamarajpet, Bangalore-560 018. While installing the gas cylinder, gas started leaking from the cylinder. The inmates of the house ran to a place outside the house. The gas cylinder was removed and the same was brought outside the house in a narrow lane where there was a tin drum filled with water. The cylinder was immersed in it.
While installing the gas cylinder, gas started leaking from the cylinder. The inmates of the house ran to a place outside the house. The gas cylinder was removed and the same was brought outside the house in a narrow lane where there was a tin drum filled with water. The cylinder was immersed in it. The gas went on escaping through the water and within a few minutes it caught fire in a big proportion in which nine persons were killed and 26 persons were injured. The names of the deceased and the members of the families of deceased arc as follows: