A tragic incident at a multi-storey mall in northwest Delhi has claimed the life of a 16-year-old boy. Kabin Kumar, a Class XI student, died on Sunday after allegedly falling from a plastic-fibre sheet on the rooftop of a restaurant inside the mall located in Model Town.
Sequence of Events Leading to the Tragedy
According to police, Kabin, a resident of Gujranwala Town, had visited the mall with three of his classmates. The group reportedly accessed the rooftop of the building using a staircase. Preliminary inquiry suggests that Kabin climbed onto a plastic-fibre sheet covering the gallery area of the four-storey complex.
The sheet gave way under his weight, causing him to plummet between 40 to 50 feet. Police stated that while the other boys stepped back upon sensing danger, Kabin moved forward and stepped onto the sheet between the shops, leading to the fatal fall.
A Police Control Room (PCR) call was received at 5:51 pm reporting the boy's fall. He sustained critical injuries and was rushed to a hospital, where he later succumbed.
Family Questions Circumstances, Alleges Foul Play
Kabin's family has raised serious questions about the incident, hinting at possible foul play. Relatives revealed that Kabin had left home with Rs 100, telling his mother he was going to play billiards at the mall. "We got the news within half an hour," a family member said.
The family expressed suspicion over the behaviour of Kabin's friends after the accident. "They did not inform us or rush him to the hospital. It was the restaurant staff who took our child for treatment," a relative claimed.
They also pointed to alleged safety lapses at the mall, asking how Kabin could access such a dangerous spot. "There is no proper access. Why was the route not blocked?" the relative questioned. The family further mentioned that Kabin had a quarrel with someone about 8–10 days prior and that they were shown a video reel made by the boys, though its relevance remains unclear.
Describing him as a cheerful teen, a relative shared, "He had organised a party. Today his sister was coming from Canada."
Investigation Underway, CCTV Footage Sought
Delhi Police have initiated an investigation into the incident. Authorities have sought CCTV footage from the mall to reconstruct the exact sequence of events. The probe will examine the safety measures in place at the commercial complex and the circumstances that led to the teenager accessing the restricted area.
The tragic death of Kabin Kumar has brought mall safety protocols under scrutiny, highlighting the need for stringent measures to prevent unauthorized access to hazardous areas in public spaces.
