A routine after-school affair went awry for a four-year-old boy. While going near the swimming pool in his apartment complex on his bicycle, he slipped into it and drowned. The incident occurred on Monday evening at Mantri Residency on Bannerghatta Road.
The police said that Vikhyath Abhijeet Deshpande was the only son of a software engineer couple. He was a kindergarten student. He was under the care of his grandparents as his parents were at work at ITPB. On Monday, Vikhyath returned from kindergarten and went out on his bicycle after lunch while his grandmother was busy with her chores. No one knows why he went near the swimming pool, and there was no one around at the time of the incident.
It was only after a while that a resident noticed his body floating in the pool. The boy was taken out of the pool and rushed to a nearby hospital, but it was too late. The doctors declared him brought dead.
The Hulimavu police have registered a case of unnatural death. They are contemplating booking a case of negligence against the security staff of the apartment complex.
Gautam Mukherjee, head of Mantri Propcare, said the swimming pool is about four feet deep. “The rules are clear that swimming is at his/her own risk. We have no liability,” he added.
No dedicated security
While police pointed to lack of security personnel at the pool, Mantri Propcare head Gautam Mukherjee told The Hindu that the deployment of security guards was made in consultation with the residents’ association. “A few months ago, residents felt that women who use the pool would not be comfortable with a guard stationed there,” he said.
A guard stationed at a block close to the pool was given the additional task of supervising the pool, he said. At the time of the incident, the guard was at the other end of the block, overlooking the entrance while schoolchildren were returning home, he added.
He also said the society’s guidelines are clear that children aged eight and below should be under supervision. “It is unfortunate that though there are many balconies overlooking the pool, no one noticed the boy slip into the pool and drown,” Mr. Mukherjee said.
The swimming pool is about four feet deep. The rules are clear that swimming is at his/her own risk. We have no liability. But it is unfortunate that though there are many balconies overlooking the pool, no one noticed the boy slip into the pool and drown.
Gautam Mukherjee,
Head of Mantri Propcare
Vikhyath Abhijeet Deshpande was under the care of his grandparents as his parents were at work at ITPB
