A horrifying tragedy struck Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, late Saturday night (Saptami) after a runaway truck laden with paddy mowed down crowds of devotees near the Sheetla Mata Mandir before ramming into the temple’s entry gate.
The impact killed at least 15 people and injured 27 others, triggering swift government action against police officials for security lapses and severe negligence.
How the Accident Unfolded
The incident occurred around 1:30 AM during peak festive rush on the occasion of Saptami, when hundreds of devotees from Gwalior, Shivpuri, and Sheopur had gathered at the shrine.
- Brake Failure on Slope: A heavy truck coming from the Chinor side was stopped by police at a barricade. Preliminary investigations indicate mechanical failure caused the driver to lose control on the slope.
- Devastating Chain Reaction: The vehicle plowed through roadside prasad stalls and devotees before crashing into the temple’s entrance gate. The force of the impact caused a section of the gateway wall to collapse, trapping several people under heavy debris.
- Arrests Made: Police confirmed that the truck owner, Mohit Singh, and driver, Dilbag Singh, have been taken into custody.
Strict Government Action & Security Suspensions
Expressing grief over the incident, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav ordered immediate administrative action against the police personnel on duty for failing to enforce traffic restrictions properly:
- Removal of Top Official: The City Superintendent of Police (CSP) has been removed from his post.
- Eight Suspensions: Three Station House Officers (SHOs), one Traffic Inspector, one Head Constable, and three Constables have been placed under immediate suspension.
- High-Level Probe: A detailed inquiry has been instituted to fix accountability and prevent such lapses during public gatherings in the future.
Compensation and Relief Measures
Both state and central leadership have announced ex-gratia relief packages for the victims’ families:
|
Category |
State Government Relief |
Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) |
|---|---|---|
|
Next of Kin (Deceased) |
₹4,000,000 |
₹2,000,000 |
|
Seriously Injured |
₹2,000,000 |
₹50,000 |
|
Other Injured |
₹50,000 |
₹50,000 |
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav added that the state government will cover all medical expenses for the injured.
