Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Monday strongly criticised the organisers of the 'Mridanga Naadam' event for their handling of Thrikkakara MLA Uma Thomas's accident, questioning why the programme was not paused following the incident.

While considering the bail petitions of Mridanga Vision proprietor Nigosh Kumar, his wife Mini C, and CEO Shameer Abdul Rahim, Justice PV Kunhikrishnan expressed dismay at the organisers' actions.

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"What kind of cruelty is this? A person fell and sustained a head injury. Couldn’t you have stopped the programme for even half an hour? You could have waited until she reached the hospital. What would have happened if you paused the programme to check on her condition? There is no value to human life," the court remarked.

The incident occurred during the 'Mridanga Naadam' event, organised by Mridanga Vision, at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on December 29, 2024. Thomas fell from a 15-foot-high VIP gallery due to alleged inadequacies in barricading the stage. Despite her severe injuries, including trauma to the brain, spine, and lungs, the programme continued with celebrations, eventually achieving a Guinness World Record for the largest Bharatanatyam performance.

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The MLA is still undergoing treatment at a Kochi hospital, and her condition remains critical.

Justice Kunhikrishnan also asked the organisers to produce the event brochure to examine claims that they demanded exorbitant sums from participants. Allegations of financial fraud have surfaced, with several attendees alleging they were overcharged for participation.

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In a separate development, Justice Anil K Narendran, while addressing another case, criticised the manner in which Thomas was transported after her fall. “A person with spinal injuries was casually carried away without even a stretcher. This is a dismal state of affairs,” Justice Narendran observed.  

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