A 12-year-old boy was crushed under a cement barrier on NH-24, where construction work is under way, the police said on Saturday. The area falls under Khoda police station.
The victim, identified as Ishtehar, was playing cricket with two of his friends on Saturday morning, when the incident happened.
A senior police officer said that the boy was rushed to a private hospital in Vaishali, but was declared dead on arrival. On the basis of a complaint lodged by his relative, an FIR was registered against the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for causing death due to negligence. The mother and elder sister of the deceased work at a factory in Noida. His father had died two years ago.
The police said that the body has been sent for post-mortem. The victim hailed from Bihar and was living with his family in Ghaziabad’s Khoda.
“Ishtehar had gone to play cricket near an under construction site of the NHAI around 10 a.m. He was playing, when a cemented barrier fell on him suddenly,” a senior police officer said. He said that the other children, who were playing with Ishtehar, rushed to his house and informed his family about the incident.
His family members and some neighbours rushed to the spot immediately. The news spread like a fire in the area within minutes. Hundreds of people gathered at the spot. Meanwhile, the matter came into notice of the police and the administration.
Sub-Divisional Magistrate Aditya Prajapati reached the spot with police force to avoid public outrage. The victim was rescued and rushed to a nearby private hospital. He was declared dead.
Khoda police station in charge Dharmender Kumar said that the deceased lived with his uncle, identified as Riyaz. Ishtehar studied at a private school in Khoda.
Riyaz lodged a complaint with the police accusing the NHAI for negligence.
“We have lodged an FIR into the matter under appropriate sections on the basis of the complaint lodged by Riyaz. The NHAI has been named in the FIR. A team has been formed and further investigation into the matter is on,” Mr. Kumar said.
Following the incident, heavy police force has been deployed in the area. Senior officials have assured the family of fair investigation and urged all to maintain peace.
