Kochi stage collapse incident: MLA Uma Thomas seeks Rs 2 crore compensation from GCDA

Kochi: Thrikkakara MLA Uma Thomas has sent a legal notice to the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA)--owners of Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium, seeking Rs 2 crore in compensation for injuries sustained after falling from a gallery last December. The notice warns that legal action will follow if compensation is not provided.

The incident occurred during a Guinness World Record attempt for the largest number of dancers performing Bharatanatyam simultaneously, involving around 12,000 participants. Uma Thomas who came for attending the event fell from a temporary stage set above the gallery.

The programme had been organised by Mridanga Vision and Oscar Event Management. The stadium had been rented for Rs 9 lakh. The MLA’s legal notice claims that the GCDA approved the venue use without verifying the organisers’ credentials.

Details inside

According to the notice, the temporary stage was erected 10.5 metres above the ground, directly above the gallery, without railings or adequate safety measures. There was only a 50-centimetre space in front of the front-row seats.

While walking on the stage, the MLA fell and hit her head. No stretcher was on hand, and it took 10 minutes to move her outside the stadium. She regained consciousness only after nine days, and months were required before she could walk independently. Full recovery has not yet been achieved, and the trauma continues.

The notice stresses that the GCDA is responsible for ensuring safety when renting out the stadium. It argues there was a breach of duty, as a high-risk event with tens of thousands of participants was allowed without proper precautions.

It also highlights the broader impact on the MLA and her absence from office, which has affected residents of the Thrikkakara assembly constituency.