MLA Uma Thomas accident: Kerala court grants interim bail to accused event organizer

An Ernakulam Sessions Court on Friday granted interim bail to Nigosh Kumar, the proprietor of Mridanga Vision which organised the 'Mridanga Naadam' event during which Thrikkakara MLA Uma Thomas sustained critical injuries after suffering a steep fall from a VIP gallery [Nigoshkumar v State of Kerala]..The trial court has granted Nigosh Kumar interim bail until January 7, 2025. The charges against him include Section 110 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, which deals with the offence of attempting to commit culpable homicide not amounting to murder.The mishap occurred on December 29, 2024, at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium where an event featuring Bharatanatyam 12,000 performers was being held in an attempt to set a Guinness World Record.Congress leader and Thrikkakara Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) Uma Thomas was a guest invited to attend the event. However, while taking her seat at the VIP gallery, Thomas lost her footing and suffered a 15-foot drop, which caused severe injuries to her brain, spine, and lungs, leaving her on ventilator support.The event organisers were accused of failing to implement adequate safety measures at the venue and a criminal case was filed against them. Two of the accused - namely, Nigosh Kumar and the proprietor of Oscar Event Management, Janeesh PS - initially moved the Kerala High Court seeking anticipatory bail. However, the High Court declined to grant them relief and asked them to surrender before the police. Nigosh Kumar surrendered before the police on Thursday, January 2 and he was formally arrested the same day. .When he was produced before the magistrate for remand, his counsel argued that Nigosh Kumar was falsely implicated and sought his release on bail. The lawyer added that the allegations of negligence regarding the construction of pathways and barricades for VIP seating did not justify invoking Section 110 of the BNS against Nigosh Kumar.He also argued that there was no evidence to suggest that the Nigosh Kumar had any intention or knowledge that his actions would lead to MLA Thomas sustaining such injuries. After considering these arguments, the magistrate granted Nigosh Kumar interim bail.His bail plea was moved through advocate MR Dhanil..Meanwhile, the Mridanga Naadam event organisers (including Nigosh Kumar) are also facing another case on allegations of financial fraud, on claims that they collected money from participants but failed to provide promised services.