Kerala Police Book Ex-Principal, 2 Teachers In CUSAT Stampede Case

In the Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) stamped case, the Kerala police booked a former principal and two teachers of the school of engineering on Sunday. The stampede happened during the university's annual festival, in which, four people died, while 60 got injured in November last year.

Shedding light on the latest development, a senior police official told media that the former principal of the school of engineering, Deepak Kumar Sahu, and two teachers of CUSAT have been booked under IPC section 304 A (causing death by negligence).

According to the reports, students in a mass number were gathered to attend renowned singer Nikita Gandhi's live concert in the open-air auditorium of CUSAT. The auditorium has a capacity of accommodating 1,000 to 1,500 people.

Authorities stated that the ex-principal and certain teachers were charged following an investigation that uncovered significant shortcomings on their behalf.

A comprehensive report outlining these deficiencies has been filed by the police in a nearby court.

The Kerala High Court emphasized that the stampede occurring at the annual tech festival was undeniably a result of "certain lapses" and was an incident that "ought to have been prevented."

Among the casualties were three individuals linked to CUSAT: Athul Thampi (23), Sara Thomas (19), and Ann Rifta Roy (20). The fourth victim, Alwin from Palakkad, was an electrician who had coincidentally found himself at the festival.

The complaint before the rights panel underlined that there was only one entrance and exit to the hall.

Earlier, after the saddening incident, the Kerala State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) registered a case in connection with the stampede at Cochin University's annual tech festival and sought a report from the state government. The SHRC had also issued notices to the Aluva Rural Superintendent of Police and the Registrar of the University in the wake of the saddening incident.