Kerala High Court Directs 'Mridanga Vision' Proprietor's Surrender In Connection With Event Where MLA Uma Thomas Was Injured

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday (December 31) directed the sole proprietor of Mridanga Vision, Nigoshkumar M to surrender before the investigation officer on January 2 (Thursday), while disposing of his anticipatory bail plea moved over the accident caused to Thrikkakara MLA Uma Thomas.Mridanga Vision had organized 'Mridanga Naadam', an event conducted with an intention of setting a Guinness World Record for the most people performing Bharathanatyam simultaneously. The event was held on December 29, 2024 at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kalloor. Reportedly, during the event, Thrikkakara MLA Uma Thomas fell from the 15-feet VIP gallery and sustained injuries to her lungs, spine and brain. As per reports, the stage was improperly barricaded. There was only a queue manager barricade (steel rods connected with ribbons). The MLA lost balance while navigating the narrow pathway in front of the stage, grabbed on the queue system for balance and fell off the stage. One of the MLA's personal staff had filed an FIR against the 'stage building authorities and Organisation of Mridanda Vision' for not providing enough space for passage in the gallery and not properly barricading the stage.During the hearing on Tuesday, Justice P. Krishna Kumar observed, "After perusing the records produced along with the petition, I am of the view that this is not a fit case in which interim direction of the above nature is to be issued". At this stage, the petitioner sought permission to surrender before the officer on January 2. The Court, after noting that the Public Prosecutor did not oppose the petitioner's request, allowed the same."In the above circumstances, the bail application is disposed of by permitting the petitioner to surrender before the Investigating Officer at 2:00 PM on 02.01.2025, failing which the Investigating Officer is entitled to arrest the petitioner as per law," the court said. The petitioner's counsel had argued that though the case was initially registered with bailable offences, the police later incorporated Section 110 (Attempt to commit culpable homicide) BNS, a non-bailable offence, and thus the petitioner may be released on interim bail as he apprehends arrest. This request was opposed by the Public Prosecutor submitting that the alleged criminal acts are very grave and the matter involves a larger public interest.Shalu Vincent, a member of the MLA's personal staff had filed an FIR in the Palarivattom Police Station against the 'stage building authorities and Organisation of Mridanda Vision'. She had alleged that the organisers were negligent in not providing enough space for passage and did not construct proper barricade in front of the stage. Offences under Sections 125, 125(b) (Act endangering life or personal safety of others) and 3(5)(common intention) of BNS and 118(e) (Penalty for causing grave violation of public order or danger)of Kerala Police Act is alleged against the organisers.Case Title: Nigoshkumar M. v State of KeralaCase No: BA 11343/ 2024Click Here To Read/ Download Order

Kerala High Court Directs 'Mridanga Vision' Proprietor's Surrender In Connection With Event Where MLA Uma Thomas Was Injured

Manju Elsa Isac

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