Two event organisers of the ‘Mridanga Naadam’ event – during which Thrikkakara MLA Uma Thomas suffered critical injuries after falling off a VIP gallery – have moved the Kerala High Court seeking anticipatory bail in connection with the criminal negligence case filed against them. MLA Uma Thomas had suffered critical injuries after falling from a 15-foot-high VIP gallery at the ‘Mridanga Naadam’ event held at the Kaloor stadium. The event organisers have been accused of criminal negligence.
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Kochi: Two organisers of the grand event ‘Mridanga Naadam’ have approached the Kerala High Court seeking anticipatory bail after a case of criminal negligence was filed against them.
This incident comes in the wake of Thrikkakara MLA Uma Thomas suffering serious injuries from a fall during the event.
On December 29, 2024, the event was held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kaloor. It aimed to set a Guinness World Record by featuring 12,000 Bharatanatyam performers dancing simultaneously. Unfortunately, what should have been a historic occasion turned into a tragedy.
MLA Uma Thomas, who was attending as a guest, fell from a 15-foot-high VIP gallery after losing her balance on a narrow pathway. The fall caused critical injuries to her brain, spine, and lungs. She has since been hospitalized and remains on ventilator support.
Reports suggest that the gallery was unsafe, with poor barricades and inadequate pathways, leading to the accident.
Following a complaint by Shalu Vincent, a staff member of the MLA, a criminal case was registered against the event organisers. They were charged under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS) and the Kerala Police Act, including:
- Section 125: Negligent act endangering life.
- Section 125(b): Grievous injury due to negligence.
- Section 3(5): Common intention.
- Section 118(e): Grave violation of public safety (Kerala Police Act).
The case alleges that the organisers failed to ensure proper safety measures for the event.
The two accused organisers, Nigoshkumar M, proprietor of Mridanga Vision, and Janeesh PS, proprietor of Oscar Event Management, have approached the court to avoid arrest.
The Vacation Bench of Justice P Krishna Kumar heard their pleas briefly and asked the Public Prosecutor for instructions, scheduling a full hearing on January 3, 2025.
Arguments by the Accused
- Nigoshkumar M:
- He claimed to have arranged essential safety measures such as fire services, ambulances, volunteers, and doctors.
- He argued that responsibilities for other safety aspects were assigned to professionals.
- He denied negligence, stating that the allegations in the FIR were baseless and unsupported by evidence.
- Janeesh PS:
- He contended that his role was limited to providing support services for the event.
- He stated that he had implemented necessary safety measures.
- He argued that there was no direct evidence linking him to the alleged negligence.
- He maintained that the accusations were unfounded and sought to establish that he was not liable for the incident.
Both organisers emphasised their willingness to cooperate with the investigation and argued that custodial interrogation was unnecessary.
The matters will be considered together on January 3, 2025.
Advocate MR Dhanil represented Nigoshkumar.
Advocate Senitta P Jojo appeared for Janeesh.
CASE TITLE:
Nigoshkumar M v State of Kerala and connected case.
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