Pandal collapse: Negligence at fault, say forensic experts

Kolkata: Forensic experts have found in their preliminary investigation that negligence over erecting the structure on wet soil during monsoon without taking proper precaution was the reason that led to the collapse of a portion of a pandal during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address at Midnapore College Ground.

A team of experts from the State Forensic Science Laboratory visited the spot and inspected the collapsed structure.

Sources said that their investigation had revealed that more precaution should have been taken while setting up the structure.

There were deep puddles all over the ground. Since the soil was wet, it didn't grip the structure properly and it has come up as one of the major causes behind the collapse of the pandal.

It has also been found that the structure had also turned heavy due to the rainfall.

It may be mentioned that some people had even managed to climb up the structure when the Prime Minister was addressing the rally. It also made the structure heavy and as per the forensic experts, it could have been another cause behind the collapse.

A team comprising three senior officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs visited West Midnapore on Tuesday to probe the incident.

The officers including Secretary (Security) S K Sinha and Joint Secretary Arti Bhatnagar held meetings with the District Magistrate and the Superintendent of Police of West Midnapore. They also visited the spot. They will be preparing a report in this connection.

The district authorities are also preparing a report in this connection. Though initially it was claimed that there was negligence in the part of the Public Works Department, it was later found that it has executed its work without any fault.

It has been stated that the Special Protection Group (SPG) plays a crucial role in such cases, as it was related to the security of the Prime Minister.

A case has also been lodged under section 304 (punishment for culpable homicide not amounting to murder) of the Indian Penal Code in connection with the incident.

Meanwhile, five persons were arrested in the past 24 hours on charges of attacking policemen, after the Prime Minister's rally.