Taking strong note of the shocking incident at Chandigarh’s Elante Mall, where festive lights crashed down on a four-year-old girl, the Punjab State Human Rights Commission (PSHRC) on Thursday decided to intervene taking suo-motu cognizance of the matter. The Commission, led by chairperson Justice Sant Parkash, has directed the city’s Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) and the Deputy Commissioner to submit a detailed report on the incident before the next hearing scheduled for January 27, 2025.

The incident occurred on December 25 when approximately 20 festive lights, part of the mall's holiday decorations, fell on the young girl, narrowly avoiding a major tragedy. Fortunately, the child only suffered a minor head injury, but this alarming accident raised concerns about the safety measures in place at the mall.

The Commission noted that the mishap is the third such incident at Elante Mall this year. In a previous incident three months ago, a woman and her niece, a child actor, were seriously injured when a slab came off a pillar. Another tragic incident earlier this year involved the death of a boy due to the overturning of a toy train.

The PSHRC’s intervention highlighted the growing concern over the safety of public spaces and the need for immediate action. The Commission has demanded a thorough investigation into the mall’s safety protocols and measures to prevent further accidents. A copy of the suo-motu order and the news report has been forwarded to the SSP and Deputy Commissioner for compliance.

The Commission’s involvement underscored the importance of holding authorities accountable for ensuring public safety, especially in high-traffic areas like malls, where such incidents can have devastating consequences.