Dandiya Night Tragedy: Truss Girder Built on Just Two Pillars Instead of Four, Three Surrender to Police

The 19-metre-high iron truss that collapsed on students during dandiya celebrations at MVSR Engineering College in Nadargul on October 17, killing a student and injuring 22 others, was built on only two support pillars instead of four, an investigation by the Adibatla police revealed.

Three people who were involved in organizing the event and installing the temporary structure surrendered to the Adibatla police on Tuesday, three days after the tragedy. Investigators identified serious deficiencies 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 organizer 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 took place on October 17 around 7:20 pm when a strong wind accompanied by dust swept through the college campus during Dussehra celebrations. A temporary iron truss installed to the right of the stage collapsed on students who were dancing nearby.

Narayanadas Sona, a student of the college, died while undergoing treatment, while 22 other students sustained injuries.

The work went through several contractors

An investigation found that responsibility for staging the event passed through several contractors before the truss was installed on the school premises.

Police said Saketh entered into an agreement with event coordinators at the university under the name Kriyaa Operations, which took responsibility for the barricades, stage, truss construction, sound system, generator and lighting. However, as he did not have the necessary equipment, Saketh subcontracted the work to Tanush, associated with Vayora Experiences LLP.

Tanush subsequently handed over 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 roof was installed on the night of October 16, the day before the festivities.

Two department heads among the four escapees

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 organizer 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 departments, served as coordinators of the university event. Investigators review their roles in approving arrangements, coordinating with suppliers and ensuring compliance with security requirements.

The Adibatla police have sought a technical assessment from the Executive Engineer of the Roads and Buildings Department and the Fire Department to determine the structural deficiencies that led to the collapse.

Police said further action will be taken against those responsible based on technical reports and evidence gathered during the investigation.

Published – 21 Oct 2026 20:14 IST