Crematorium wall collapse toll now 5: 10-yr-old dies of injuries

THE DEATH toll in the Gurgaon crematorium wall collapse has gone up to five, with a 10-yearold girl succumbing to injuries on Sunday. Four people — three men and an 11-year-old girl — were declared dead on Saturday.

Police have lodged an FIR and apprehended three members of the crematorium’s managing committee in connection with the case.

The incident took place at 6 pm in Arjun Nagar when the men were at a shop near the spot and the two children were walking past. CCTV footage shows a stack of logs falling onto the wall which suddenly collapsed on them. The victims have been identified as Krishan Kumar (52), Manoj Gaba (52), Devi Dayal (70), Tanya (11), and Khushboo (10).

The sole survivor, Dileep Kumar (48), is the owner of the shop, BR Caterers, near the wall which he had been running for the past 18-20 years. He lodged a complaint alleging that despite flagging concerns that the wall was leaning and sending photos to the management at the crematorium, they did not work towards maintaining it.

Police said an FIR has been registered against unknown persons under IPC sections 304-A, 427 and 337 at New Colony police station.

Kumar alleged in his complaint, “I, along with Devi alias Pappu, Manoj, Krishna and other workers of my shop, along with a person named Mashad, were sitting in the street near the crematorium wall... right in front of BR Caterers... Two young girls were playing in the street. Suddenly, the wall of the crematorium collapsed on us... I sustained injuries to my legs, back, and chest. The wall near the BR Caterers office, which leads from Arjun Nagar to Veer Nagar, had been tilted for quite some time.”

Kumar said his elder brother had informed two members of the committee managing the crematorium about the wall and had sent photos, requesting multiple times that it be fixed. “If the wall had been repaired, this major incident could have been avoided. However, everyone ignored our concerns... The responsibility for this incident lies with the committee heads and other members and inspectors,” the complaint claimed.

Three people have been apprehended — the crematorium committee chairman, secretary and a member — police said, adding that the allegations against them are being probed.

PTI A policeman walks near the cremation ground where a wall collapsed in Gurgaon, Sunday. At least five people were killed in the mishap that took place Saturday night.