Faridabad/Chandigarh, February 8:
The Haryana Police on Sunday registered a culpable homicide case in connection with the Surajkund mela joyride mishap and arrested two individuals, including the owner of the ride-operating company, for alleged lapses in ensuring safety. The announcement came after a giant Tsunami swing collapsed at the fair on Saturday evening, killing Inspector Jagdish Prasad during rescue operations and injuring 12 others.
The police identified one of the accused as Mohammad Shakir, proprietor of Himachal Fun Care Company, responsible for installing the rides at the fair. Shakir, a resident of Toka Nangla village in Sirmaur district, Himachal Pradesh, has been booked under sections for culpable homicide not amounting to murder, along with other relevant provisions. The second accused, Nitesh, hails from Dharmapuri in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, and has also been taken into custody.
Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini announced financial assistance of Rs 1 crore for the family of the late Inspector Jagdish Prasad and directed officials to implement immediate measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. He further stated that a government job would be provided on compassionate grounds to an eligible family member. Saini added that medical care for the injured is being closely monitored, noting that four of the eight patients admitted to Supreme Hospital and four treated at BK Civil Hospital have already been discharged.
Following the incident, fair management suspended all swings for a comprehensive safety audit, while other sections remained open for visitors. Haryana Minister Rajesh Nagar visited the mela site, warning that no individual, regardless of influence, would be spared if found responsible.
A three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted under the supervision of the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime), directed by DGP Ajay Singhal, to probe the case using scientific and technical methods. The team includes the Assistant Commissioner of Police (Crime II), in-charge of the Crime Branch (NIT), and Sub-Inspector Sanjay from the Surajkund police station. Police investigations are ongoing, including examining the roles of others involved in the incident.
The injured include Woman ASI Neelam, Woman Constable Sharmila, Rajesh (SPO), Harsh Prakash, Prashant, Ameesha, Parvinder, Sunil, Shivani, Balbir, Anuj, and Pooja.
