Parents of a three-year-old boy, who died after being reportedly washed away in a drain near Bhagwan Mahaveeer (Pumpwell) junction in May, are yet to get compensation. Reason: officials’ contention that the incident is an accidental death, not caused by a natural calamity. The case has come to the limelight with J.R. Lobo, MLA, joining the issue.
Three-year-old Srinidhi was found dead near her house on May 3.
According to his mother, Veda Poojary, a warden in a college hostel, her son did not return home after he went out to play on May 2 evening. Ms. Veda and her husband, Lokesh, searched for him till early hours of May 3 before registering a missing case with the Mangalore Rural police.
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A few residents reportedly noticed the body of the boy by the side of the drain, 100 metres away from the house, on May 3 morning.
The Mangalore Rural police, who initially registered a missing case, changed it into a case of unnatural death.
During a review meeting held on Saturday, Mr. Lobo questioned delay on the part of officials in paying compensation to the parents of the child. Mangalore tahsildar Mohan Rao said the death was accidental and the compensation had not been paid.
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Deputy Commissioner A.B. Ibrahim said compensation was being paid only for deaths resulting from natural calamities. “We have not paid any compensation for the death of a man who downed in Uppinangady in June. He had come there to perform his father’s last rites,” he said.
Mr. Lobo said the death of the child should be considered to be resulting from a natural calamity.
“The family is shattered. The child was born to the couple after eight years of marriage.” Mr. Lobo contended that the boy was washed away in the open drain filled with storm water.