Tragic Shivratri Mishap in Kota: Child Succumbs to Burn Injuries, Investigation Underway

Jaipur- One of the fourteen children who suffered electric burns during Shivratri festivities in Rajasthan’s Kota tragically passed away on Saturday midnight at SMS Hospital. Shagun Nayak, a 13-year-old boy, succumbed to severe burn injuries sustained in the electrocution accident. The incident occurred on Friday during the Kalash Yatra procession, a part of the Shivratri celebrations, in the Kali Basti area at around 11 am.

Shagun, a sixth-grade student and the younger of two brothers, was among the children participating in the procession. Tragically, the joyous occasion turned into a nightmare when the children accidentally made contact with a high-tension line while carrying steel pipes adorned with flags. The accident left 16 persons including 14 children injured, with five seriously wounded, including Shagun, who required treatment in Jaipur.

Shagun was rushed to Jaipur SMS Hospital for urgent treatment, where medical staff worked tirelessly to save him. However, despite their best efforts, Shagun passed away during treatment at 1 o'clock in the night. On Sunday, the grieving family took their journey back to Kota with Shagun's body.

Adding to the family's anguish, Shagun's father, Mangilal ,a construction labourer had recently been discharged from the hospital after fracturing his leg in a fall. Despite his own physical struggles, Mangilal now faces the overwhelming grief of losing his son and is currently unable to speak about the tragedy.

In response to the incident, Mangilal filed a complaint at the Kunhadi police station on March 8, holding the event organizers, Babulal, Badrilal, and Gopal, accountable for negligence. The police have initiated an investigation and registered a case against the organizers for endangering lives and conducting the event without proper permission.

The other persons injured were identified as follows: Kushal (7), son of Mahavir Berwa; Suraj (12), son of Ramraj Nayak; Aniruddh (8), son of Purushottam Dhobi; Yash (12), son of Suraj Sahariya; Saman Berwa (7), son of Mukesh Berwa; Monu (11), son of Mahavir Berwa; Dheeraj (8), son of Ramraj Nayak; Lokesh (25), son of Purushottam Dhobi; Sanwariya (11), son of Suraj Sahariya; Manvi (10), daughter of Suraj Berwa; Himanshu (8), son of Hariom Berwa; Chintu (2), son of Rinku Sahariya; Mekas (8), son of Mukesh Berwa; and Sameer (10), son of Ramraj Nayak.

Arvind Bhardhwaj, the Circle Inspector of Kunhari police station, provided details about the incident, stating that the children were part of a procession carrying a kalash (pot) from one temple to another when the tragedy occurred.

The event organized in the colony involved the children carrying a flag hoisted on an iron rod, which inadvertently came in contact with a high-tension wire, resulting in electric burns to the children and a woman. All the injured were rushed to the hospital, with one child suffering around 70% burns and reported to be critical.

Five children were rushed to SMS hospital Jaipur, one was admitted in the ICU while the others were admitted in the semi ICU of the burn ward. The children admitted to Kota’s MBS Hospital are between 9 and 16 years of age.

Upon receiving information about the incident, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, along with Collector Ravindra Goswami, and Rajasthan Energy Minister Heeralal Nagar visited the hospital to meet the injured and assess the situation. On Saturday, Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khinvsar met the children and took their health updated from the hospital management, further directing them to provide best care for their speedy recovery.

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