Bengaluru: A 28-year-old painter, suspected to have fallen in a bathroom and died during treatment, was later found to have allegedly fallen from a building while painting an advertisement. This prompted his father to seek action against the contractor and building owner over alleged safety lapses.According to a complaint filed by Usman, his son Zabiulla Khan, a resident of Shivamogga, had come to Bengaluru around three months ago after a relative, Hussain, a painting contractor, offered him work.On Oct 16, when Usman was in Kuwait, his third son called him to say that Zabiulla had fallen in a bathroom and admitted to a hospital in Yelahanka by Hussain. The following day, he was informed that Zabiulla had died during treatment.However, the circumstances of Zabiulla’s death raised suspicion after his friend, Mubarak, spoke to Usman’s nephew, Imran Khan, on Oct 18 and said Zabiulla had been painting a building in Jalahalli, owned by a man named Krishnappa.Mubarak later informed Usman’s younger brother, Rasul Khan, that Zabiulla had fallen from Krishnappa’s building around 8.30am on Oct 16 while painting an advertisement, and was taken to hospital by Hussain.On Oct 20, Usman visited the building with relatives and Mubarak and spoke to locals, who confirmed that Zabiulla had fallen while carrying out painting work there.Usman filed a complaint against Hussain and Krishnappa, alleging that they were responsible for his son’s death by allowing him to work without safety precautions.
