Neglect caused mall tragedy, says probe
The Great Adventure Mall had taken permission only for a 30-minute event, featuring a Union minister arriving there in a helicopter. The mall did not inform the authorities about conducting adventure sports, said Vijay Pal, Greater Noida city magistrate. Darpan Singh and Kapil Datta report.
The Great Adventure Mall had taken permission only for a 30-minute event, featuring a Union minister arriving there in a helicopter. The mall did not inform the authorities about conducting adventure sports, said Vijay Pal, Greater Noida city magistrate.
"We are enquiring into the negligence shown by the mall staff. We are also trying to find out why necessary permission was not taken and why safety measures were not put in place," said Pal.
On Saturday, a bungee-jumping instructor fell to his death and Bollywood actress Sayali Bhagat fractured her hand while doing stunts at the opening of the mall.
Pal is heading a three-member committee into the accidents that took place on Saturday. The police have also seized equipment used at the venue. "If need be, they might be sent for forensic tests," said Ashok Kumar, superintendent of police (rural area).
Greater Noida fire station officer Akshay Niranjan Sharma, said, "As a primary safety measure, the company should have put a net in place. This clearly points to negligence."
The district administration has sent out a strict warning to malls and educational institutions to take permission for organising activities, featuring celebrities and adventure sports, or face the music.
"Greater Noida has more than 60 engineering and management colleges and several corporate companies. In the past, it has been seen such retail hubs organise programmes and invite celebrities without seeking permission from the district administration," Pal said.
"Such violations attract a fine of Rs 2,000 and/or imprisonment of 15 days to 6 months," said Pal.
Meanwhile, AMR Infrastructures Ltd, which owns the Great Adventure Mall, has announced a cash relief of Rs 8 lakh to the family of Shailendra Singh Bisht, 26, who fell to his death while rappelling. In a statement by Shailendra's brother, Vijendra, released to the media by the mall owners, family of the victim described the incident as an "accident".
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