A tragic incident in Pune's Ambegaon Khurd area has claimed the life of a 12-year-old boy, highlighting severe lapses in construction site safety. The child fell from the terrace of an incomplete six-storeyed building while flying a kite on Thursday evening.
Details of the Tragic Incident
The victim has been identified as Shlok Nitin Bandal, a Standard V student. The accident occurred around 5 pm on Thursday when Shlok was flying a kite from the terrace of the building adjacent to his house. According to Assistant Inspector Bhojling Dodmise of the Ambegaon police, preliminary investigations indicate that Shlok lost his balance and fell through an unguarded duct from the sixth floor.
The building, which has six floors, was partially occupied. Flats up to the fifth floor had been given possession, and residents had moved in, while construction work was ongoing on the sixth floor. Shockingly, there were no safety measures in place at the site.
Police Action and Builder Negligence
The police investigation revealed glaring safety violations. There was no barricade or safety net near the open duct from which the boy fell. Furthermore, the builders had not deployed any security guard to prevent unauthorized access to the terrace of the under-construction building.
Following a complaint lodged by Shlok's maternal uncle, Amol Ingawale (35) of Katraj, the Ambegaon police have registered a case against the two contractors of the building. The case has been filed under Section 106 (1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for causing death due to negligence. Police have issued notices to the builders.
Aftermath and Family
After the fall, Shlok was rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead. The young boy is survived by his parents and an elder brother. His father works for a private company, and his mother is a homemaker.
This heartbreaking incident underscores the critical need for strict adherence to safety protocols at construction sites, especially in residential areas. The lack of basic precautions like barricades and security has led to an irreplaceable loss for a family.
