Basketball tragedy: Probe panel visits village, reviews infra

A fact-finding committee constituted by Deputy Commissioner Sachin Gupta after last month’s basketball tragedy at Lakhan Majra village is close to completing its inquiry after gathering relevant information and examining the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The committee headed by Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Narendra Kumar visited Lakhan Majra on Monday and inspected the sports stadium where 16-year-old national basketball player Hardik Rathee died after a pole collapsed on him during practice on November 25.

The ADC, accompanied by the Executive Engineer (Panchayati Raj), also met the bereaved family and heard their demands. The family is seeking the construction of an indoor basketball stadium in the village, to be named after Hardik.

“This is the first time since the incident that a team of administrative officials visited the village and listened to us. We reiterated our demand for an indoor stadium for the safety of budding players. Our village has produced many national and international players, and there is a strong sports culture here. Even today, more than 70 boys practise basketball in the village,” said Hardik’s father, Sandeep Rathee.

He said the ADC had assured them of all possible assistance in getting the proposed indoor stadium built in Hardik’s name. “The ADC also took details of the players, the facilities available there, and the circumstances leading to the tragic incident. We are satisfied with the response of the committee,” Sandeep said.

He maintained that the police had initiated an investigation after registering an FIR in the matter. “The police have sought CCTV footage of the incident, which has already been provided,” he added.

The committee also interacted with the sarpanch.

The ADC told ‘The Tribune’ that the visit to Lakhan Majra was part of the ongoing inquiry. “Both poles from the court have been removed. Currently, the boys are practising at the adjoining court. I have also directed officials to assess the structural stability of other sports equipment and facilities in the stadium,” Kumar added.