3 Persons Surrendered In Truss Collapse Case
Three accused in the MVSR Engineering College truss collapse that killed a student and injured 22 others have surrendered, while three others remain absconding.
Three persons accused of negligence in the collapse of a temporary iron truss structure during a Dandiya event at MVSR Engineering College in Nadergul, which claimed the life of a 19-year-old student and injured 22 others, surrendered before the Adibatla police.
Shamshabad Zone DCP B. Rajesh said on Wednesday that police had seized mobile phones, contract documents, financial transaction records and other evidence as part of the investigation. Three other accused, including two heads of department (HoDs) of the college and an event contractor, are absconding.
The incident occurred around 7.20 pm on October 17 during Dandiya organised on the college grounds for Dasara. A temporary iron truss structure erected on the right side of the stage collapsed onto students who were dancing. Narayan Das Sona, 19, died of his injuries, while 22 other students were injured.
According to Rajesh, Mallela Saket, 22, an event organiser associated with Kriyaa Operation, had entered into an agreement with the college management and event coordinators to organise the programme. Under the agreement, Saket was responsible for barricading, truss installation, stage arrangements, sound systems, generators and lighting.
During questioning, Saket reportedly told police that he had subcontracted the work to Tanush, owner of Vayora Experiences LLP, as he did not have the required equipment.
Adibatla station house officer M. Ramesh, the investigating officer, said Tanush subsequently assigned the work to Mahesh, who handed it over to Bathula Puneeth, 21, and Sayan Nishant Yadav, 24, owners of PS Lighting & Sounds.
The investigation revealed that the temporary truss structure had been erected using only two supporting pillars instead of the four required. Police said necessary safety precautions were not followed during installation.
Ramesh said an inspection of the seized structure and questioning of the accused indicated that the organisers had failed to adequately assess adverse weather conditions and ensure structural stability.
The police identified the three accused who surrendered as Mallela Saket, Bathula Puneeth and Sayan Nishant Yadav.
The absconding accused were identified as Tanush, an event contractor, and college coordinators Akhil Khare, the head of department (computer science and engineering), and Rajesh Hanmanth Rao Kulkarni, also identified as HoD of Computer Science and Engineering at MVSR Engineering College.
The police seized the 19-metre-long truss structure, DJ sound equipment allegedly used without permission, mobile phones, contractual agreements and documents relating to financial transactions.
A case has been registered under Sections 105 and 125(a) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The three accused were produced before a court for judicial remand.
The police said the investigation would examine the roles of the event organisers, subcontractors, persons responsible for erecting the truss, college coordinators and others associated with the programme.
Further action will be based on reports from the roads and buildings (R&B) executive engineer and the fire department, along with technical findings, electronic evidence, contractual records and financial transaction details, police said.
The police also advised educational institutions and event organisers to obtain the necessary permissions and ensure structural stability and safety measures while installing temporary stages, trusses, electrical equipment, lighting and sound systems for public events.