A 46-year-old advocate was killed and two others seriously injured after a dome-shaped shelter at Guru Gorakhnath Ghat on the Rapti river collapsed on Sunday afternoon after being struck by lightning, officials said.
The victims were at the ghat to attend the last rites of a colleague’s mother. The incident triggered protests by lawyers over an alleged delay in arranging an ambulance and providing treatment. District magistrate Deepak Meena ordered an inquiry into the allegations and a technical inspection of the structure.
Police registered an FIR under Section 125 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against the CMO and five health department employees following a complaint by Asthana’s wife, officials said.
The incident occurred around noon when people had gathered under the dome during heavy rain, according to officials.
A preliminary inquiry suggested lightning struck the structure shortly before the collapse.
Chief minister Yogi Adityanath announced ₹ 4 lakh ex gratia for the bereaved family, with additional assistance from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.
