5-Year-Old Electrocuted at Garba Pandal Gate in Ratlam; Organisers Booked

By Sarhind Times Madhya Pradesh Bureau

Ratlam, Sept 30

What should have been an evening of festive celebration turned into a nightmare in Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh, when a 5-year-old boy lost his life to electrocution at the entrance gate of a Navratri garba pandal. The tragedy, which unfolded late Sunday night, has triggered outrage across the city and renewed urgent debates on event safety, negligence, and regulatory enforcement during large gatherings.

Police confirmed that five organisers have been booked under sections of the Indian Penal Code related to negligence and culpable omissions. Initial reports suggest the child came in contact with a charged metal frame at the pandal gate, likely due to faulty insulation or earthing failure.

🚨 How the Incident Unfolded

The child, visiting the pandal with family, leaned against the decorative gate.
Within moments, he suffered a severe electric shock.
Despite immediate rush to a nearby hospital, doctors declared him dead on arrival.
Witnesses described panic as the venue was plunged into shock and confusion.

Police & Administrative Action

Authorities wasted little time:

FIR Registered: Five organisers booked for negligence.
Electrical Audit: Inspectors deployed to examine wiring, panels, and earthing.
District Orders: Comprehensive checks ordered across all garba venues in Ratlam.

A senior officer stated:

“We will not only fix individual accountability but also ensure systemic checks are in place to prevent recurrence.”

Safety Checks Ordered

The administration directed that all seasonal pandals must:

Install RCCBs/ELCBs (safety devices to cut current leakages).
Use only insulated wiring and proper earthing.
Barricade distribution panels from public reach.
Maintain on-site electricians during peak crowd hours.
Obtain safety certification before opening to the public.

Public Reaction

The tragedy has sparked grief and anger:

Parents’ fears: Many demanded suspension of events until safety audits are complete.
Residents’ voices: Calls for stricter penalties for negligent organisers.
Cultural dilemma: While garba celebrations are integral to Navratri, questions linger over whether tradition is prioritised over safety.

Long-Running Debate: Event Safety in India

This incident highlights a recurring problem:

Seasonal Venues: Many pandals, stages, and processions rely on temporary electrical setups.
Poor Compliance: Few undergo certified inspection before being opened.
Enforcement Gaps: Local authorities often lack manpower to inspect hundreds of sites.
Legal Weakness: Penalties for organisers are often minimal compared to the risk.

Safety experts insist on:

Mandatory pre-event safety certification.
Independent inspections before public entry.
Heavy penalties for organisers flouting norms.

Expert Commentary

Electrical Inspector, Ratlam Division:

“A simple RCCB could have saved this life. Event organisers must understand that decorative lights and sound systems need professional handling, not shortcuts.”

Safety Consultant, Indore:

“We keep repeating the same mistakes—untrained electricians, temporary wiring, lack of safety audits. Unless there is accountability, tragedies will recur.”

Wider Context

Similar incidents have been reported across India:

2019, Vadodara: Three people injured in an electric short-circuit at a pandal.
2022, Kolkata: Fire sparked by faulty wiring during Durga Puja celebrations.
2023, Jaipur: A child electrocuted at a Ramlila venue.

Each case reinforces how festivals magnify safety risks when crowds and temporary infrastructure meet.

Legal Proceedings

Police have invoked provisions under:

IPC Sections 304A (Causing death by negligence).
IPC Sections 337/338 (Causing hurt/grievous hurt by endangering life).
Electricity Act violations for unsafe installations.

If convicted, organisers face jail terms and fines.

Voices of Grief

The child’s family, overwhelmed with shock, demanded justice:

“We came to celebrate Navratri. We returned with our child’s body. Who will take responsibility?”

Civic groups organised candlelight vigils, urging the government to declare compensation and strict enforcement.

Conclusion

The Ratlam garba pandal electrocution is a heartbreaking reminder of how negligence can turn celebration into catastrophe. While police action against organisers is a first step, real change requires systemic reforms—mandatory inspections, certified wiring, trained electricians, and stricter laws.

As Navratri celebrations continue, the incident casts a long shadow, urging both organisers and authorities to place safety at the heart of tradition.

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