Three people accused of negligence in the temporary truss collapse at MVSR Engineering College in Nadergul, Hyderabad, have surrendered before the Adibatla police, while three others remain absconding in a case that killed a 19-year-old student and injured 22 others.
The incident occurred at about 7.20 pm on October 17 during a Dandiya event organised on the college grounds for Dasara. A temporary iron truss erected beside the stage collapsed onto students who were dancing. Narayan Das Sona, 19, died of his injuries, while 22 students were injured.
Shamshabad Zone Deputy Commissioner of Police B. Rajesh said police had seized mobile phones, contractual documents, financial transaction records and other evidence during the investigation. The three people who surrendered were identified as Mallela Saket, 22, an event organiser associated with Kriyaa Operation; Bathula Puneeth, 21; and Sayan Nishant Yadav, 24, the owners of PS Lighting & Sounds.
Police said Saket had entered into an agreement with the college management and event coordinators to organise the programme. Under the agreement, he was responsible for barricading, truss installation, stage arrangements, sound systems, generators and lighting. During questioning, police said, Saket told investigators that he had subcontracted the work to Tanush, the owner of Vayora Experiences LLP, because he did not have the required equipment.
According to the police account, Tanush subsequently assigned the work to Mahesh, who handed it over to Puneeth and Yadav. Investigators said the temporary structure had been erected with only two supporting pillars instead of the four required. Police also said necessary safety precautions were not followed during installation.
Adibatla station house officer and investigating officer M. Ramesh said an inspection of the seized structure and questioning of the accused indicated that the organisers had not adequately assessed adverse weather conditions or ensured the stability of the structure. The police seized the 19-metre-long truss, DJ sound equipment allegedly used without permission, contractual agreements, mobile phones and documents relating to financial transactions.
The three absconding accused were identified as Tanush and college coordinators Akhil Khare and Rajesh Hanmanth Rao Kulkarni. Both college coordinators were identified by police as heads of department in the computer science and engineering department at MVSR Engineering College.
A case has been registered under Sections 105 and 125(a) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The three surrendered accused were produced before a court and sent to judicial remand. The investigation will examine the roles of the event organisers, subcontractors, the people responsible for erecting the truss, college coordinators and others associated with the programme.
Police said further action would be based on reports from the Roads and Buildings executive engineer and the fire department, along with technical findings, electronic evidence, contractual records and financial transaction details. They also advised educational institutions and event organisers to obtain necessary permissions and ensure structural stability and safety measures for temporary stages, trusses, electrical equipment, lighting and sound systems at public events.
