Balcony Parapet Collapse: Student Dies; Case Registered Against Organiser, Building Owner
Mangaluru: A student of St Aloysius College was critically injured after a balcony parapet collapsed at the Rama Lakshminarayana Convention Hall in Emmekere, Mangaluru, and has succumbed to his injuries. Police registered a case in connection with the incident.
The Pandeshwar Police registered a case against building owner Parikshith Rai and event organiser Dinakar Shetty.
According to the complaint, students gathered at the convention hall for an oath-taking ceremony to elect the president, vice-president, and other office-bearers of the All-College Students’ Association.
At around 2:50 p.m., while a group of students watched a rally from the passage on the first floor of the hall, the parapet suddenly collapsed and fell on Shammaz, who was standing below, the complaint stated.
Shammaz sustained serious injuries to his head, both legs, and shoulder. Three other students—Mohammed Sanan Ahmed, Mohammed Haneef and Dawood—also sustained injuries. The injured students were taken to the hospital in a car by fellow students.
Shammaz, critically injured, was admitted to A.J. Hospital and was undergoing treatment in the ICU. He was reportedly in a coma and succumbed to his injuries at around 11:33 p.m.
The complaint alleges that the building was dilapidated and that the owner, Parikshith Rai, knew parts of the structure could collapse at any time. Despite this, he allegedly permitted an event expected to attract a large number of students without taking adequate safety precautions.
The complaint further alleges that event organiser Dinakar Shetty was also aware of the condition of the building but failed to inform students or take necessary precautionary measures, thereby allegedly showing negligence.