A first-year degree student of Sri Venkateswara Degree College in Anantapur died after being trapped in a college hostel elevator. Some students have claimed that 19-year-old Vasanthi’s death occurred because students were not informed by college officials that the lift was under repair.
Vasanthi hailed from Siddarampuram village in Bukkapatnam mandal and was the daughter of a farmer who had recently moved to Bengaluru to work in a factory.
According to Anantapur Circle Inspector Shiva Kumar, Vasanthi had gone with her friend Keerthi and three others to meet Keerthi’s mother. Vasanthi got stuck in the elevator shaft when they were returning to their rooms after meeting her. “After meeting her mother, when they were returning upstairs, all of them except Vasanthi got down at 4th floor. But as the lift was in a bad condition, it suddenly started going up. In a hurry even Vasanthi tried to get down at the 4th floor, but unfortunately she was crushed between the lift and the wall.”
He added that some students had alleged that they were not informed that the lift was under repair and not to be used. “When we spoke to all the students, we heard two versions from two set of students. A few students were saying that they were informed about the lift repair and were supposed to use the stairs. But some others said that they were not informed by the college authorities about the college lift.”
Vasanthi’s elder brother, Obula Reddy told The News Minute, that Vasanthi was studying for a BCom degree, and hoped to find a bank job in order to support her family. “We lost her because of the negligence of the college,” he said.
He added that the college authorities are now promising to repair the lift, and have offered the family compensation of Rs 5 lakh, as well as a job in the college for him. “But what will we do with this job or this compensation after losing my little sister?”
He said that some students, including friends of his sister, claimed that they were not informed of issues with the elevator. “But the college authorities are not accepting their mistakes and just promised to repaid the lift as soon as possible,” he said.
“Whatever happened with my sister should not be repeated with any of the students again. Apart from this we have nothing to demand, because all this compensation will not give my sister back. I don’t want this job or their compensation,” he said in tears.
A case has been registered against the college under section 304-A (causing death by negligence).