Indore temple tragedy: Bulldozers raze illegal structures where 36 died

Days after a tragic accident claimed 36 lives, the Indore municipal authorities deployed bulldozers to demolish the illegal constructions at the site of the incident - Beleshwar Mahadev Jhulelal temple in Patel Nagar area of the city.

Senior administrative and civic officials like District Magistrate and Deputy Municipal Commissioner were present at the spot to prevent any possible resistance.

As many as 36 people were killed after the roof of a stepwell situated within the temple premises collapsed during a 'havan' (oblation) ritual organised there on the occasion of Ram Navami. There was a heavy rush of devotees. To get a glimpse of the rituals, many unsuspecting devotees crowded the top of the old 'bawdi' (stepwell). Unable to bear their combined weight, the slab constructed on the top of the stepwell gave in, plunging several devotees into the water below.

According to an NDTV report, Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) had marked the stepwell's cover for demolition, saying it was "dangerous" but had to back down after being warned that it would "hurt the religious sentiments." On April 23, 2022, IMC issued a show-cause notice to the temple trust pointing out at the dilapidated condition of the slab and illegal constructions in and around the temple.

However, the temple trust secretary denied any encroachment on the park-garden and accused the civic body of interference in religious matters, which would hurt sentiments as the temple is 100 years old. In response to the IMC notice, it had given an undertaking promising to remove the slab constructed over the well, but it did not abide by its words.