The MVSR truss collapse at a Dandiya event in Nadergul, Telangana, has left one student dead, two in critical condition and more than 60 others injured, while police investigate alleged negligence by the event organiser and college management.
Sonu Narayan Das, a student of MVSR Engineering College, died after the temporary truss and lighting structure collapsed during celebrations at the college on Saturday around 7.30 pm. Police said the structure had been installed without adequate safety measures.
Of the 23 students taken to hospitals, all of them girls, two remain in intensive care with serious injuries involving the lungs, abdomen, spine and ribs. Doctors said the students were being treated for complications including pneumothorax, haemothorax and hemoperitoneum. The two critical patients are being treated at Yashoda Hospital, Malakpet.
Meena Narayan Das, identified as Sonu’s sister and one of the hospitalised students, was reported to be improving. District Medical and Health Officer for Ranga Reddy, Dr Kalyan Chakravarthi, said nine female students were admitted at Yashoda Hospital, Malakpet. Four were expected to be discharged soon, while three others required another two days of treatment. Other injuries included nasal bone fractures and minimal effusion.
Police identified PS Truss & Lighting and Electrical as the event organiser. The firm’s office has been shut, and its owner, freelance event organiser Mallela Saket, has been listed as absconding. Four workers involved in installing the structure and lighting have been detained for questioning. No arrests had been made when the report was published.
The Adibatla police registered a case against the organiser and the MVSR College management under Sections 105 and 125(A) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, relating to culpable homicide and causing death by negligence. Adibatla station house officer M. Ramesh said the police had received a complaint alleging negligence by the organiser and college management and had formed a special team to arrest those responsible.
The incident has placed attention on how temporary event structures are commissioned and monitored inside institutional premises. The college had outsourced the event to PS Truss & Lighting and Electrical, but police are investigating the responsibility of both the contractor and the management after the collapse. Of the injured students, 23 were shifted to hospitals and the remainder received first aid. The police investigation and the search for the organiser are continuing.
