NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court has directed the police to expeditiously conclude the investigation into the incident where a 45-year-old woman died in January after a stage set up for a religious function collapsed at the Kalkaji temple. The high court also directed the Delhi Police to take action against those responsible for it.
The court noted that though the temple is under the full management and control of an administrator appointed by the high court, the administrator had not given any permission for holding the event.
Justice Prathiba M Singh said the status report filed by the police leaves no doubt in the mind of the court that the permission for conducting the ‘jagran’ (religious function) was given by the temple.
“Moreover, vide order dated February 20, 2024, the court had observed that the mahant himself had filed an affidavit stating that he has handed over the control and management of the Kalkaji Mandir premises to the administrator after the order dated September 27, 2021,” the high court said.
The court had in February took into account the “recent unfortunate jagran incident” that took place on the intervening night of January 27 and 28 and sought a status report in relation to the probe, which is to be conducted expeditiously.
The 45-year-old woman died and 17 people were injured during the ‘jagran’, which was organised at the ‘Mahant Parishar’ of the temple. Around 1,600 people attended the event. An FIR was registered at Kalkaji police station.
In its March 12 order, the high court after perusing the status report of the police noted that the ‘jagran’ was organised by Shri Kalkaji Sajja Sewadar Mitr Mandal and its president/ office bearers Anuj Mittal and Satish Kumar were the organisers. The report said that they were given permission by Surender Nath Avdhoot who describes himself as the mahant of the temple.
The police submitted that the investigation is yet to be concluded with respect to the incident. “Thus, it is directed that the police shall continue its investigation and conclude the same expeditiously and take action against all persons who are culpable,” the court said.
The court also took on record the assurance given by the SHO of Kalkaji police station that the investigation shall be completed within four weeks and the charge sheet be filed.
The police said that the jagran was being held continuously from 2009 onwards and this year, the permission was not granted by police as the organisers failed to produce NOC from the fire department and structure stability certificate from the municipal corporation.