In a tragic turn of events stemming from superstition, a 10-year-old boy lost his life Tuesday morning after a hastily constructed concrete pillar collapsed on him while he was playing on a makeshift swing outside a Nandini Dairy outlet in Tumakuru district.The victim, A Dhanush, a class IV student at a govt school, is survived by his agriculturist-father, Anand Murthy, mother and an elder brother studying in high school.The incident occurred outside the Nandini milk outlet situated in a private building near the primary school at Beligehalli-Chikkanayakanahalli.The shop had been operating at the location for over six years with three decorative front pillars. However, the owner decided to erect another pillar following advice from an acquaintance that three pillars were a sign of bad omen and adding a fourth one would bring prosperity.Police said the fourth pillar was constructed with severe structural defects. “The owner failed to secure top of the pillar to the building ceiling, nor was the base anchored properly into the ground,” stated an officer from Handanakere police station.Unaware of the structural hazard, school children had tied a thick rope around the pillar to construct a makeshift swing. On Tuesday morning, when Dhanush was playing on the swing, the unanchored structure gave way under the strain and crashed onto his head, killing him instantly.Handanakere police registered a case against the building owner and diary shop operator; both face charges of causing death by negligence.
