Kerala High Court Hears Anticipatory Bail Plea of 'Mridanga Vision' Proprietor in MLA Uma Thomas Accident Case
Kiran Raj
Nigoshkumar M., the sole proprietor of Mridanga Vision, has approached the Kerala High Court seeking anticipatory bail following the tragic incident involving Thrikkakara MLA Uma Thomas during the "Mridanga Naadam" event on December 29, 2024. The event, held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kaloor, aimed at setting a Guinness World Record by featuring 12,000 Bharatanatyam performers.
The plea was heard by a Vacation Bench comprising Justice P. Krishna Kumar. The Court directed the Public Prosecutor to seek instructions and adjourned the matter for further hearing on January 3, 2025.
The event took a tragic turn when Thrikkakara MLA Uma Thomas fell from a 15-foot-high VIP gallery while navigating a narrow pathway. Reports indicate that the gallery was inadequately barricaded, utilizing only a queue management system made of steel rods connected with ribbons. While attempting to steady herself, the MLA reportedly lost her balance and fell to the ground. She sustained critical injuries to her brain, spine, and lungs and remains on ventilator support in the hospital.
A First Information Report (FIR) was filed by Shalu Vincent, a member of the MLA’s personal staff, at the Palarivattom Police Station. The complaint alleges negligence on the part of the organizers, citing a lack of adequate space for safe navigation and the absence of proper barricades in the gallery. Charges have been registered under:
- Section 125 (negligent act endangering life or personal safety),
- Section 125(b) (grievous injury due to negligence), and
- Section 3(5) (common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS),
- Section 118(e) of the Kerala Police Act, which penalizes acts causing grave violations of public order or danger.
Nigoshkumar, represented by Advocate M.R. Dhanil, has asserted in his plea that:
- He had taken necessary precautions, including arranging for fire services, ambulances, volunteers, and medical staff at the event.
- Responsibility for structural safety and other arrangements had been entrusted to third-party professionals, and he had no direct involvement in the alleged lapses.
- The allegations in the FIR lack substantive evidence, and there is no legal or factual basis to implicate him in the incident.
Janeesh P.S., proprietor of Oscar Event Management and another accused in the case, has also moved the Kerala High Court seeking anticipatory bail. Janeesh has contended that his role was limited to providing support services for the event and that he was not involved in the structural arrangements of the gallery. Both accused have argued that custodial interrogation is unnecessary and have expressed their willingness to cooperate with the investigation.
The Vacation Bench of Justice P. Krishna Kumar, after a preliminary hearing, directed the Public Prosecutor to obtain instructions and posted the matter for hearing on January 3, 2025. The Court will consider the anticipatory bail pleas of both accused together.
Case Title: Nigoshkumar M. v. State of Kerala
Bench: Vacation Bench of Justice P. Krishna Kumar
Case No: BA 11343/ 2024
