A day after Kerala MLA Uma Thomas suffered severe injuries after falling from the stage created for an event at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, police on Monday registered case against the event organisers and stage building contractors.
The MLA from Thirkkakara assembly constituency has been shifted to to ICU following the accident and is on ventilator. Doctors at Renai Medicity in Palarivattom, where she is hospitalised said she suffered fractures to her facial bones, head and ribs and had brain and spinal injuries besides internal bleeding in the lungs.
#WATCH | Ernakulam, Kerala | On Congress MLA Uma Thomas fell from the stage, Dr Krishnanunni from Renai Medicity says, "She came with disorientation. We put her on ventilation. She has a brain injury, rib fracture and hemothorax collection in the lungs. She had a big wound on the… pic.twitter.com/2SlDyBYtO2
— ANI (@ANI) December 29, 2024
An FIR was registered based on a complaint lodged by the MLA's personal staff. The charges slapped on the accused inlcude Bharatiay Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Sections 125 (actions endangering personal safety), 125(b) (causing grievous hurt) and 3(5) (joint criminal liability) besides Kerala Police Act, 2011 Section 188(e), which pertains to endangering public safety.
Police stated in the FIR that the stage lacked enough walking space as well as other safety measures like barricades.
Ernakulam District Collector NSK Umesh has ordered an probe into the safety lapses at the stadium.
Since there were no barricades in front of VIP gallery, Uma Thomas could not hold on to anything and fell from a height of around 14 feet.
The event saw a mega Bharatanatyam performance of 12,000 dancers led by actress Divya Unni. The VIP gallery reportedly had a seating capacity of 40. The event was also attended by Minister Saji Cherian and Kochi City Police Commissioner Putta Vimaladitya, who inspected the accident site.
Kerala opposition leader VD Satheesan visited the hospital on Sunday night and said the priority is to ensure proper medical care for the MLA, whose condition, he said, is stabilising.
Industries Minister P Rajeeve who had a meeting with Health Minister Veena George said they have sent an expert medical team to the hospital.
