Photo used for indicative purpose only. Source: Internet https://himachalscape.com/
Shimla, May 11
A 14-year-old boy who suffered critical head injuries after being struck by a falling brick from an under-construction seven-storey building near Sanjauli Tunnel in Shimla has died during treatment at IGMC Shimla. Police have arrested the building owner in the case.
According to police, the incident occurred on April 29 at Choupada Niwas in Sanjauli, where construction work was underway on a seven-storey structure. A brick allegedly fell from the seventh floor of the building and hit the minor on the head, causing grievous injuries.
He was immediately shifted to Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC), Shimla, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Following the incident, Police Station Sanjauli registered FIR No. 27/2026 dated April 29 under Sections 125 and 125A of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for acts endangering life and causing hurt by negligent conduct.
After the death of the victim, police added Section 105 of the BNS pertaining to culpable homicide not amounting to murder, a serious and non-bailable offence under Indian criminal jurisprudence.
During investigation, police seized physical evidence from the spot and recorded statements of witnesses. On the basis of the evidence collected, accused Shanta Lal Chopra, son of Madan Lal Chopra and resident of Tunnel View, Sanjauli, was arrested on May 10.
He will be produced before the competent court on Monday. Further investigation is in progress.
The case has also brought focus on alleged violations of construction norms in Shimla. The accused was reportedly involved in construction of a seven-storey building in Sanjauli despite restrictions and regulations governing high-rise construction in the hill town.
The incident has intensified concerns over illegal construction activities, safety violations and weak enforcement by authorities in densely populated areas of Shimla.
Also read
Shooting stones from unstable hills causing panic in hill States
In another incident highlighting alleged negligence in construction-related safety, a 19-year-old youth was injured on Saturday after a tile suddenly fell from the outer wall of a Municipal Corporation community building in Sanjauli.
According to local residents, some youths were sitting outside the three-storey community building when a tile fixed to the second-floor outer wall detached and fell on the head of one of them, causing bleeding injuries.
The injured youth was rushed to IGMC Hospital, where he is undergoing treatment. Doctors said his condition is presently stable and a CT scan has been conducted, though the report is awaited. The building belongs to the Municipal Corporation and tiles had reportedly been installed on its exterior walls.
Local councillor Mamta Chandel confirmed receiving information regarding the incident and said the matter would be investigated to ascertain how the tile detached from the wall of the community building.
The two incidents occurring within days of each other in Sanjauli have raised serious concerns regarding public safety, construction standards and monitoring of buildings in Shimla, particularly in crowded residential and commercial areas where falling debris poses a major risk to pedestrians.
About the Author
