Kochi: The Palarivattom police on Monday arrested two people in the case relating to the alleged safety lapses in a dance event at the JLN stadium, Kaloor, during which Uma Thomas MLA fell down from a gallery, suffering severe injuries.

The arrested are Thrikkakara resident MT Krishnakumar and V Benny from Mulanthuruthy. Benny’s company, KK Productions, was responsible for managing the stage, and Benny built the VIP gallery without adequate safety features, police said. The two would be let off on station bail, police sources said. 

They have also taken into custody Shameer, the CEO of Mridanga Vision, a Wayanad-based firm which organised the event.

The arrests were recorded by Monday evening after the police questioned the two. The police had registered an FIR on Sunday against the organisers of the Mridanganadam dance event. The FIR was registered under Section 125 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and 118(e) of the Kerala Police Act, which deals with offences relating to personal and public safety.

The police action comes even as the Thrikkakara MLA remains admitted to the intensive care unit of the private hospital where she was rushed after the accident. She suffered injuries to her brain, lungs and spine in the accidental fall ahead of the event, where around 12,000 dancers performed Bharatanatyam in an attempt to set a Guinness World Record. The performance was led by actor Divya Unni.

A medical bulletin issued on Monday morning by the private hospital said that she needs to stay on the ventilator for several days due to severe lung injuries. A CT scan conducted on Monday morning revealed that the head injury has not worsened, and there is no increase in internal bleeding. The medical bulletin said priority is given to treat the lung injury with antibiotics.

Probing all angles: Commissioner
City Police Commissioner Putta Vimaladitya on Monday told media that the organisers of the event had failed to abide by several of the terms in the Greater Cochin Development Authority’s (GCDA) agreement with them. He said the police were investigating whether the organisers had obtained necessary clearances from all the departments concerned.

“Usually, the organisers of a private event have the responsibility to get clearances from departments concerned,” he said. Asked about alleged police lapses in ensuring safety at an event in which a minister was among the guests, the officer said they were looking into all aspects. Culture Minister Saji Cheriyan was on the stage when the accident happened.

As part of the probe, teams from the Public Works Department and Fire and Rescue Services examined the accident site on Monday. The commissioner said the police were awaiting reports from the departments.

GCDA on Monday blamed the organisers of the event for failing to follow the terms in the allotment letter. In a statement, GCDA said there were safety lapses in building the temporary stage and failure to ensure it has a safe barricade. 

Tragedy takes political colour
Congress leaders on Monday alleged that there were serious safety lapses in organising the event and the GCDA and the organisers were passing the blame to each other. “It is a matter of due seriousness that how such a massive programme was organised without getting permission from the police and fire force. It is also shocking that the police were little concerned about the safety of the stage where a minister was also present,” District Congress Committee president Muhammed Shiyas told media after visiting the accident site.

Aluva MLA Anvar Sadath said there was a clear intelligence failure from the police in identifying the safety lapse of the venue.

Leaders express hope
Leaders cutting across political lines visited the hospital where Uma Thomas is undergoing treatment and exuded hope that she would recover soon. Those who visited the hospital on Monday include Speaker AN Shamseer, Ministers P Rajeev and Saji Cheriyan, MPs Hibi Eden, Benny Behanan, Shafi Parambil and Dean Kuriakose, MLAs TJ Vinod, Anwar Sadath, KN Unnikrishnan and CK Asha.