Patna: Tragedy struck Patna Civil Court on Wednesday afternoon when a transformer exploded, claiming the life of lawyer Devendra Prasad and injuring six others. The sudden blast caused chaos within the court premises, triggering a stampede and prompting a swift emergency response.
The explosion occurred around 1:30 pm near gate number one of the civil court, sending shockwaves through the vicinity. Forensic experts swiftly arrived at the scene to commence investigations into the cause of the incident.
In response to the catastrophe, a high-level meeting convened under the auspices of the Chief Justice of Patna High Court. Attendees included the District Magistrate, Senior Superintendent of Police, and representatives from the electricity department. Following the meeting, the Chief Justice personally assessed the situation at the Civil Court.
The explosion disrupted routine court proceedings, coinciding with the transportation of prisoners to the courtroom via ambulance. Amid the chaos, an attempted prison escape was swiftly thwarted by law enforcement personnel, resulting in the filing of an FIR at Pirbahore police station.
Among the casualties, Devendra Prasad, described as disabled, tragically succumbed to his injuries while attempting to flee from the scene. Prompt assistance from police and bystanders helped in managing the aftermath, with medical teams rushing to provide aid. Severely injured individuals, including Munshi Jitendra and lawyers Hari Narayan Gupta, Prakash Kumar, and Manish Kumar, were promptly admitted to PMCH for treatment.
The bereaved family of Devendra Prasad, led by his son Sandeep Kumar Singh, has demanded appropriate compensation and job placement for a family member. Expressing anguish, Singh highlighted the financial and emotional toll exacted by the devastating loss.
In the wake of the incident, lawyers voiced their grievances, staging protests within the court premises and demanding redress from authorities. The legal community criticized the perceived negligence of the electricity department and the District Advocates Association for inadequate safety measures, calling for accountability and substantial compensation for the victims’ families.
The Bihar Bar Council pledged financial support to the tune of Rs 5 lakh from the Indian Bar Council and Rs 1 lakh from the State Bar Council for the deceased’s family, with additional funds allocated for the injured. Human rights advocate SK Jha escalated the matter to national and state human rights commissions, advocating for a thorough investigation and comprehensive relief measures for affected individuals.
