Noida Mall Accident: Maintenance Company Owns Up to Tragic Incident

A maintenance company has taken responsibility for the unfortunate incident at Galaxy Blue Sapphire Plaza in Noida Extension, where two visitors died after an iron grille fell on them. The company, Kanav Consultancy and Liaisoning Pvt Ltd, informed the police, who lodged an FIR against the owners of the mall under IPC section 304A (death due to negligence).

Noida, March 4: A maintenance company involved in the management and safety of a shopping mall in Noida Extension, where two visitors lost their lives after an iron grille fell on them on Monday, has accepted responsibility for the unfortunate event. The representative of Kanav Consultancy and Liaisoning Pvt Ltd took ownership of the incident and informed the police, leading to the lodging of an FIR under IPC section 304A (death due to negligence) against the owners of the Galaxy Blue Sapphire Plaza in Noida Extension, also known as Greater Noida West.

Fatal Accident at the Mall

The two victims, Harendra Bhati and Shakeel, both around 35 years old and residents of the Vijay Nagar area in Ghaziabad, were walking towards the escalators on the ground floor of the mall when the iron grille plummeted from the fifth floor, resulting in their immediate deaths. Following a complaint filed by Bhati's father, an FIR was registered in the case on Sunday itself. To prevent any recurrence of such a tragic episode, a team comprising officials from the fire department and the PWD was dispatched to conduct a thorough structural inquiry at the incident site.

Police Investigation and Administrative Action

The Deputy Commissioner of Police Central Noida, Suniti, informed reporters that the police are actively investigating the case and are in communication with the district administration, which will further address the matter at its level. Additional DCP Central Noida, Hirdesh Katheriya, confirmed that the FIR has been lodged at the Bisrakh police station against the two owners of the mall and its management. Meanwhile, the maintenance firm of Galaxy Blue Sapphire Plaza expressed regret over the incident and took responsibility for the unfortunate occurrence.

Maintenance Firm's Statement

In a letter addressed to the police, the maintenance firm asserted that it had initiated an inspection of the mall's board, facade, and other installations due to strong winds experienced in the region over the past few days. During the inspection, a portion outside the lift in another area of the mall unexpectedly broke and fell, despite being firmly attached during the initial inspection. The firm emphasized that the incident was caused by strong winds and denied any negligence on the part of employees, management, or owners of the mall.

Protests and Demands for Justice

In the aftermath of the tragic incident, a group of individuals, including family members of the deceased Harendra Bhati, organized protest demonstrations outside the shopping mall on Monday afternoon, demanding justice in the case. The protestors also succeeded in shutting down commercial activities at the mall for the day. Bhati's father, Rajendra Bhati, expressed his grief and appealed to the chief minister for justice, highlighting the plight of his son's young children and widow. Mall representatives later met with the protestors and assured them of visiting the victims' families. However, Bhati indicated that if the family remained dissatisfied with the explanations provided, they would return to the mall on Tuesday for further protests.

The tragic incident at the Noida mall has brought to light the importance of ensuring proper safety measures and regular inspections in public spaces. The acceptance of responsibility by the maintenance firm is a step towards addressing the accountability for the unfortunate loss of lives. As the police investigation progresses and the district administration takes further action, it is crucial that justice is served to the victims' families, and necessary steps are taken to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.