The Kerala High Court has strongly criticized state authorities for the improper handling of Thrikkakara MLA Uma Thomas after she fell from a VIP gallery during a Bharatanatyam dance event at Kochi’s Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium on December 29, 2024. Despite sustaining critical head, lung, and spinal injuries, she was transported without a stretcher, raising serious concerns about emergency response protocols.
The event, organized by Mridanga Vision, aimed to set a Guinness World Record for the largest Bharatanatyam performance. Following the accident, authorities registered a negligence case against the event organizers.
The High Court dismissed the anticipatory bail plea of Mridanga Vision’s proprietor, Nigosh Kumar, and ordered him to surrender to the investigating officer by January 2, 2025.
As of January 4, 2025, Uma Thomas has been taken off ventilator support and shifted to the ICU, showing promising signs of recovery.
The High Court’s stern remarks underline the urgent need for robust safety measures and efficient emergency response systems at large public events to prevent similar lapses in the future.
