A three-member committee has been established to probe the electrocution deaths of two children, aged 8 and 10, near a Durga pandal in Madhya Pradesh’s Jabalpur district, officials announced on Thursday. The tragic incident, which occurred in the Bargi Hills area on Wednesday, has prompted swift action from authorities to investigate the cause and prevent future occurrences during the ongoing Navratri festival.

The children, identified as Ayush Jharia, 8, and Ved Shrivas, 10, were fatally electrocuted after coming into contact with an iron pole that conducted electricity from improperly installed lighting decorations outside the pandal. Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Gorakhpur, Anurag Singh, told PTI Videos that while the pandal itself had a proper electricity connection, the external decorations lacked one, causing the current to spread through the pole. A preliminary investigation highlighted this oversight as a key factor in the tragedy.

Acting on directives from Madhya Pradesh Public Works Department Minister Rakesh Singh, Jabalpur Collector Raghavendra Singh formed the investigative panel, led by the SDM, to examine all aspects of the incident. The committee has been tasked with determining the precise causes and submitting a report within three days. An FIR will also be filed under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, according to City Superintendent of Police Ashish Jain.

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Minister Singh expressed condolences and directed the district administration to provide ₹2 lakh in financial assistance to each victim’s family through the Red Cross. The incident underscores the need for stricter safety protocols at public festival setups, as authorities work to ensure accountability and prevent further loss of life.

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