Case against organisers after makeshift gallery collapse injures over 50 during football tournament in Kerala’s Ernakulam

The Pothanikkad police in Ernakulam Rural in Kerala have registered a case against the organisers of a local football tournament during which a part of a makeshift gallery collapsed, injuring over 50 spectators on Sunday night.

An FIR was registered against six persons under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Section 125 (a) (hurt caused by any rash or negligent act endangering human life or personal safety of others) and 125 (b) (grievous hurt caused by any rash or negligent act endangering human life or personal safety of others).

The accused were identified as Shemeer K.M., Shemmer M.P., Vishnu P.R. Ameer K.M., Muhammed Sha K.P., and Asharaf C.P. They were named office-bearers of the football club that organised the tournament.

Among the injured, two remain admitted in Mar Baselios Medical Mission Hospital, Kothamangalam. While one has suffered a rib fracture, another ended up with a fractured leg. Five were referred to various other hospitals, said hospital sources.

The accident occurred during the football tournament final. According to the FIR, more spectators than the carrying capacity were admitted into the makeshift gallery without safety and security precautions, leading to its collapse.

According to witnesses, the spectators moved to one side of the gallery, looking for cover from a spell of shower, thus disrupting the balance and resulting in the collapse.

The club had been organising the football tournament for almost two decades and was into charity activities, said sources.