Thursday, 15 November 2018

I’puram drain tragedy: Probe reports find 9 GDA officials guilty of ‘negligence'


Based on the report prepared by fresh probe panel, the district administration has found nine GDA officials guilty of the negligence which caused the death of eight-year-old Priyanka after falling into a drain in front of Pinnacle tower in Indirapuram. The report alleges 'complete negligence' by seven officials while 'partial negligence' by two, causing the tragedy.

The Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) has also come up with its report on the same case. The report by the committee, headed by chief engineer, has found two senior GDA officials guilty of negligence, GDA Vice-chairperson told.

Following the tragedy, which occurred on October 19, District Magistrate (Ghaziabad), Ritu Maheshwari, and GDA Vice-chairperson, Kanchan Verma constituted two separate committees to find the negligence which cost an innocent life. Sub District Magistrate Vivek Mishra headed the committee constituted by DM. Meanwhile, GDA had to form two committees to probe the case.

The previous committee of the GDA, headed by VK Singh, the officer on special duty, had presented a single page report, terming the incident as “mere accident.” Verma irked with the previous finding had reconstituted the committee and made Chief engineer VN Singh its in-charge.

The district administration and the GDA - both have forwarded their request to the state government to take strict action against the officials found guilty.

“We have forwarded our request to the state government to take strict action against them,” Verma said.

Last month, on the night of Dussehra, Priyanka was heading home with her father from the mela ground when she slipped through the uncovered gap of the drain in front of Pinnacle Tower in Ahinsa Khand II, Indirapuram. Her father jumped after her but could not rescue her. Later, her body was found by NDRF team the next day after a rigorous search operation of over 12 hours.

Besides, an FIR has also been registered against the GDA by the family members of Priyanka. The authority is charged under section 304(a) of IPC, causing death by negligence.