Mumbai: A tragic accident marred Republic Day preparations in Vikhroli, Mumbai, after two roadside speaker boxes toppled onto a three-year-old girl, killing her instantly. The horrifying incident occurred on Monday in Ambedkar Nagar, leaving residents shocked and demanding urgent safety reforms at public events.
The victim has been identified as Janvi Rajesh Sonkar, who was playing near the roadside installation when the accident occurred. According to police reports, a man carrying a bundle of cloth on his head inadvertently struck the speaker setup. The impact caused two large speaker boxes, positioned on either side of the road, to collapse directly onto the child. CCTV footage from nearby shops has captured the moment of the tragedy, drawing widespread attention.
Residents of the area voiced strong concerns over the negligence of the event organizers. Many alleged that the speakers were installed without adequate safety measures, placing children and passersby at risk. Locals called for stricter safety protocols to prevent such catastrophic incidents at public gatherings.
Janvi’s family resides in Tagore Nagar, and her father operates a small mobile phone repair shop. The loss has plunged the family and the community into grief.
Vikhroli police have registered a case against Vinod Kumar, the local mandal who organized the Republic Day event, and Syed Guran, the street vendor involved in moving the cloth bundle. The charges include causing death by negligence. Authorities confirmed that a detailed investigation is ongoing to determine the full circumstances of the incident and to prevent future accidents.
This tragic event has once again highlighted the urgent need for stringent safety measures at public celebrations, particularly in areas frequented by children.