A tragic incident marred the Navratri celebrations at Delhi’s Kalkaji Temple on Thursday night, leaving a 17-year-old boy dead and six others injured. The boy, identified as Mayank, was waiting in line for darshan when he was electrocuted after touching an iron railing that came in contact with a broken electric wire used for lighting arrangements. The incident triggered a stampede among the devotees gathered for the festival, leaving six people injured.
The police received reports of the stampede at 12:40 AM and immediately rushed to the scene with forensic teams and BSES staff. The injured were taken to AIIMS Trauma Centre and Safdarjung Hospital, while the electricity supply in the area was disconnected.
Doctors at Safdarjung Hospital informed the police that a boy had been brought to the hospital from the temple, but he was declared dead on arrival. A senior police officer revealed that a broken electric wire meant for halogen lights during Navratri arrangements had come into contact with the iron railing. Mayank, who was waiting in the queue, touched the railing and was electrocuted.
Mayank’s brother, Ritik Sharma, spoke to news agency PTI and expressed his grief, saying, “Will the temple authority be able to bring my brother back? My only demand is to return my brother alive.” He described the temple as being overcrowded and stated that the electric wires were touching the iron railings. He added that his brother touched the railing, fell to the ground, and was immediately followed by a stampede.
Ritik also mentioned that his family suffered minor injuries and that his mother was still unconscious, unable to believe the loss of her son. He had to inform his father, Ram Kumar, who is a heart patient, about the incident. Ritik demanded strict action against those responsible for the inadequate arrangements.
The police have registered a case under sections 289 (negligent conduct with respect to machinery), 125(9) (act endangering life or personal safety of others), and 106(1) (causing death by negligence) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The electricity supply in the area has been restored, and darshan has resumed. Mayank’s cremation will be held on Friday. This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the importance of safety precautions during large gatherings and the need for responsible management of electrical installations to prevent such avoidable accidents.
