Representative Image | Photo: V RAJU
Bhopal police have launched an investigation into the death of a 13-year-old boy, days after he died while dancing due to the loud sound of a disco jockey (DJ) in the Madhya Pradesh capital, Additional Commissioner of Police Avadesh Kumar Goswami said on Friday (Oct 18, 2024 d.).
The alleged incident took place on October 14 during a Durga procession Murthy Visarjan (idol immersion)’, which was passing by his house in Bhopal’s TT Nagar area. The boy, Samar Bilore, collapsed while dancing to DJ music and later died in hospital of heart failure, which his parents said was caused by the sound from the loudspeaker.
According to local reports, the boy’s family said he had a heart condition and also claimed the operators did not turn down the sound despite his mother’s pleas after he collapsed.
Speaking of The HinduMr Goswami said the police were informed about the incident only on Thursday and a written complaint was received on Friday.
“We have now started an investigation into the matter but the boy was cremated without an autopsy or medical examination. This made it difficult for the police to gather important evidence,” he said, adding that officials had contacted the hospital where the boy was treated.
“We have sought the boy’s medical records from the hospital to find out the cause of death. We are also collecting circumstantial evidence like CCTV footage and eyewitnesses and will take action based on that,” Mr Goswami said.
He vowed to crack down on DJs who flout sound restrictions if a link between the boy’s death and loud music is established.
State Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, in his first cabinet meeting in December last year, had imposed a ban on the use of loudspeakers beyond permissible limits and timings at all religious and public places, as per Supreme Court directions.
After some implementation in the initial months, DJ speakers and sound amplifiers are often seen flouting restrictions across the state, especially during the festive season, despite police and administration action.
Bhopal police have already booked more than 90 DJ operators in the city during the current festive season.
Earlier in August, after the death of nine children due to the collapse of a wall of a dilapidated house during a religious event next door in Sagar district, locals suspected that a DJ operator playing loud music may have contributed to the damage caused by incessant rains. The police have inquired about the corner but found no substantial evidence to support the locals’ claim.
Published – October 18, 2024, 11:06 PM IST
