A 19-metre-high iron truss that collapsed onto students during dandiya celebrations at MVSR Engineering College in Nadargul on October 17, killing a student and injuring 22 others, was erected on just two supporting pillars instead of four, an investigation by the Adibatla police has revealed.
Three persons involved in organising the event and installing the temporary structure surrendered before the Adibatla police on Tuesday, three days after the tragedy. Investigators have identified serious lapses in structural safety, inadequate precautions during installation and failure to account for adverse weather conditions.
The three were identified as Mallela Saketh, 22, an event organiser operating under the name Kriyaa Operations, and Bathula Puneeth, 21, and Sayam Nishanth Yadav, 24, both associated with PS-Lightings and Sounds.
According to the police, the incident occurred around 7.20 p.m. on October 17, when strong winds accompanied by dust swept through the college premises during the Dussehra celebrations. A temporary iron truss installed to the right of the stage collapsed onto students who were dancing nearby.
Narayanadas Sona, a student at the college, died while undergoing treatment, while 22 other students sustained injuries.
Work passed through multiple contractors
The investigation has revealed that responsibility for the event arrangements had passed through several contractors before the truss was installed on the college premises.
Police said Saketh had entered into an agreement with the college’s event coordinators under the name Kriyaa Operations, undertaking responsibility for barricading, the stage, truss structure, sound system, generator and lighting arrangements. However, as he did not have the necessary equipment, Saketh subcontracted the work to Tanush, associated with Vayora Experiences LLP.
Tanush subsequently handed the work to another event organiser, Mahesh, who further subcontracted the installation to Bathula Puneeth and Sayam Nishanth Yadav of PS-Lightings and Sounds.
According to investigators, the truss was installed on the night of October 16, a day before the celebrations.
Two college department heads among four absconding
Apart from the three who surrendered, police have identified four others who remain absconding, including two senior faculty members of MVSR Engineering College. They were identified as Tanush of Vayora Experiences LLP, event organiser Mahesh, Akhil Khare and Rajesh Hanmant Rao Kulkarni.
According to the police, Khare and Kulkarni, both identified as heads of the Computer Science and Engineering Department, had served as coordinators for the college event. Investigators are examining their roles in approving the arrangements, coordinating with contractors and ensuring compliance with safety requirements.
The Adibatla police have sought technical assessments from the Roads and Buildings Department’s Executive Engineer and the Fire Department to determine the structural deficiencies that led to the collapse.
Police said further action would be taken against those responsible based on the technical reports and evidence collected during the investigation.
Published - October 21, 2026 08:14 pm IST