Village headman among 27 persons booked after seven persons get injured at Mayana Kollai festival in Vellore

The headman of Viruthampattu village panchayat near Katpadi in Vellore was among 27 persons booked by Vellore North police on Tuesday over the injury of seven persons after a 60-foot temple chariot toppled during the annual Mayana Kollai festival held on the banks of Palar River on Monday.

Police said the village headman K. Sridhar, 52, of Viruthampattu village was one of the organisers of the annual festival held on the riverbed near the new bus terminus, off the Chennai – Bengaluru Highway (NH 48).

The police said that as per norms, temple chariots should not exceed 12 feet in height. However, during the Mayana Kollai festival in Vellore, chariots from Virudhambattu, Kazhinjur, and Mottur were reportedly around 60 feet tall, resulting in the collapse. “Strict action will be taken against those who violate laws and traffic rules. Cases have been registered against those responsible for the incident,” said N.U. Sivaraman, SP (Vellore).

Police said that based on a complaint from D. Kasi, village administrative officer (VAO), Viruthampattu village, cases were registered against 27 persons under Section 125 (a) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, that punishes any person who acts rashly or negligently in a way that endangers human life or personal safety of others. The punishment can be imprisonment of up to three months, a fine up to ₹2,500, or both even if no actual harm is caused.

Initial inquiry revealed that the Mayana Kollai festival, one of the prominent annual events in the region, was held on the Palar riverbank on Monday. As part of the celebrations, deities from 10 villages were decorated, placed on temple chariots, and taken in procession to the riverbed where devotees performed traditional rituals and offerings.

Police said that during the procession, one of the chariots tilted sideways. In the impact, seven persons were injured. The incident happened around 11.30 p.m on Monday. The police and devotees rescued the injured and rushed them to Government Medical College Hospital in Vellore.

On being informed, V.R. Subbulaxmi and SP Mr. Sivaraman inspected the spot. Later, Ms. Subbulaxmi also met the injured persons at the hospital before she ordered an inquiry into the incident.