Haryana Rights Commission Mandates Safety Certification After Fatal Fair Accident
The Haryana Human Rights Commission has issued a landmark directive requiring mandatory technical certification for all major public events following a tragic accident at the Surajkund International Crafts Mela that claimed one life and left multiple people injured.
Fatal Swing Crash Prompts Commission Intervention
The commission took suo motu cognisance of the February 7 swing crash that resulted in the death of police inspector Jagdish Prasad and injuries to 13 others. The incident occurred when an electrical swing, locally known as the 'tsunami ride,' became unhinged while carrying approximately 19 people, tilted mid-air, and crashed to the ground.
Inspector Prasad, aged 58 and deployed on duty at the fair, lost his life while attempting to rescue those trapped in the malfunctioning ride. Twelve other individuals, including both police personnel and civilians, sustained injuries during the catastrophic collapse.
Systematic Safety Lapses Identified
A full bench comprising chairperson Justice Lalit Batra and members Kuldip Jain and Deep Bhatia initiated proceedings and identified glaring "systematic lapses" in structural safety protocols at the venue. The commission specifically noted the absence of evidence that a competent technical committee had conducted thorough structural and electrical inspections before the fair's inauguration, terming this omission a "serious administrative lapse."
The panel also highlighted inadequate deployment of emergency response teams, medical units, and disaster-management mechanisms. Additionally, they pointed to uneven pathways that posed significant risks to senior citizens, children, and persons with disabilities attending the event.
Comprehensive Safety Framework Ordered
The commission has directed that technical certification by a multidisciplinary committee must become mandatory for all major events expected to draw large public gatherings. This committee should comprise structural engineers, electrical safety experts, and officials from disaster management, fire services, and police departments.
Specific directives include:
- Mandatory third-party safety audits of all amusement rides, entry gates, stalls, and temporary structures
- Deployment of adequate emergency infrastructure including ambulances, fire tenders, first-aid centers, and trained rescue personnel
- Creation of level, safe, and disability-friendly pathways across venues
- Clearly marked, obstruction-free evacuation routes for quick and safe movement during emergencies
- Institutionalization of weather-related risk assessments with operations suspended during high winds or adverse conditions
- Strict penal action for negligence and safety violations
Multiple Investigations Underway
Haryana Police has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to conduct a detailed investigation into the circumstances leading to the collapse. Simultaneously, the district administration established a separate ADC-level inquiry committee to examine the technical and mechanical aspects of the accident.
The commission has sought detailed reports from multiple authorities including the Faridabad deputy commissioner, Director General of Police, heritage and tourism department, chief electrical inspector, and Surajkund Mela Authority. Officials have been directed to submit comprehensive reports within four weeks, including findings from the swing collapse inquiry, FIR status, and action taken against responsible parties.
Additional Safety Concerns Revealed
Commission members, who were present at the venue on February 7 for an awareness camp, identified additional safety lapses beyond the swing incident. They reported that a temporary gate near the venue's food court collapsed in the wind earlier that day, injuring two to three persons. Additionally, a second gate near gate 2 had tilted precariously and was removed by police personnel following the commission's intervention.
Core Human Rights Principles Emphasized
Observing that the Surajkund fair represents a globally renowned festival celebrating India's heritage, crafts, and folk traditions, the bench emphasized that such events must uphold core human rights values including dignity, safety, and inclusivity.
"A fair (mela) must be fair in all respects," the commission stated, calling safety non-negotiable and directing zero tolerance for safety violations. The matter is scheduled for further hearing on April 7 as authorities work to implement the comprehensive safety framework mandated by the rights commission.
