Nearly 19 months after a tragic wall collapse during a religious event in Shahpur town of Sagar district claimed the lives of nine children, a local court has found three individuals guilty of criminal negligence. The court, presided over by 9th Additional Sessions Judge Rajesh Singh, convicted Mulu Patel, Sanju alias Keshav Patel, and Shiv Patel for their roles in the incident. Each of them has been sentenced to five years of rigorous imprisonment along with a fine. This verdict has provided some closure to the grieving families and emphasized the importance of accountability and public safety.
The unfortunate event took place on August 4, 2024, during a 10-day Shrimad Bhagwat Katha near the Hardaul Baba temple in Shahpur. The children were participating in a clay Shivling-making program under a tent when the wall of a nearby dilapidated house collapsed suddenly. Tragically, eleven children, mostly aged between 10 and 15 years, were trapped under the debris. Despite efforts by villagers, nine children lost their lives, while two others survived after receiving medical treatment.
The incident, occurring amidst heavy rain, revealed serious lapses in safety measures, including the failure to identify and address the unsafe structure and inadequate safety arrangements at the crowded religious event. The prosecution, represented by Additional Public Prosecutor Devesh Bachkainya, promptly took action, leading to the arrest of the three accused soon after the tragedy.
Following the tragedy, the Madhya Pradesh government took administrative steps, removing the then Sagar Collector Deepak Arya and Superintendent of Police Abhishek Tiwari from their positions. This action underscored the importance of accountability in ensuring safety at public events. The families of the victims have welcomed the court’s decision as a move towards justice, while also urging for stricter enforcement of building safety regulations, particularly during religious and community gatherings.
Activists have echoed these concerns, calling for enhanced guidelines to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
