11-year-old Vihan Srivastav (in picture) died on Tuesday when an old roadside peepal tree fell on the school bus in Chembur area.

MUMBAI:MUMBAI: A day after 11-year-old Vihan Srivastav’s death in the Chembur tree collapse incident, the BMC suspended two officials from different departments, holding them prima facie responsible for negligence pending departmental inquiries.The civic body suspended Jagdish Bhoir, assistant garden superintendent of M West ward, and Arun Mundhe, sub-engineer from the Roads and Traffic Department, in connection with the incident in which a roadside peepal tree fell on a passing Universal High School bus on 11th Road, Chembur (East), killing Vihaan and injuring four other students.In a statement issued on Wednesday, the BMC said officials against whom prima facie negligence had been established were suspended. It added that strict action would also be taken against the contractor responsible for the road works in the area.Bhoir’s suspension order, issued by the office of the Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Gardens), stated that the incident took place on June 30 at around 2.58 pm when the roadside tree fell on the school bus.“In connection with the said incident, prima facie/substantial negligence is evident. In view of this matter, you are being suspended from today, July 1, 2026, pending preliminary/departmental inquiry,” the order stated.The BMC also suspended Arun Mundhe, Sub-Engineer (Roads), M/West Ward, through an order issued by the Chief Engineer (Roads and Traffic), with immediate effect pending a preliminary departmental inquiry.Additional Municipal Commissioner Avinash Dhakane said issuing notices alone would not absolve officials of responsibility.“Merely issuing notices cannot be an excuse for such negligence. The matter should have been escalated to higher authorities. I have also directed the Roads Department to initiate action against the road contractor,” he said.Following the tragedy, BMC Commissioner Bhide directed officials to carry out fresh pruning and time-bound re-inspection of hazardous trees across Mumbai to identify and secure potentially dangerous trees before further heavy monsoon spells.The civic body said the uprooted peepal tree was estimated to be 60 to 70 years old and that no official complaints had been received regarding its condition.It added that the tree had undergone a visual inspection on May 12, during which it was found to be healthy and structurally sound. The tree was also pruned on May 29 as part of the annual pre-monsoon tree maintenance drive.The BMC’s action comes amid questions over civic preparedness and tree safety measures after the collapse of the tree onto the school bus during heavy rains in Chembur.