India, July 14 -- The inquiry into the Chembur tree collapse that killed 11-year-old Vihaan Srivastava on June 30 has recommended penalties against the contractor and consultant working on a storm water drain project at the site, but stopped short of holding them responsible, citing other contributing factors. The committee has also given the civic roads and garden departments a clean chit.

The panel, whose report has been accepted by municipal commissioner Ashwini Bhide, found that the contractor, Gawar Construction Ltd, failed to exercise adequate caution while excavating near the roots of the peepal tree for the storm water drain project, despite repeated warnings from the civic roads department.

It has recommended a Rs.5-lakh penalt...