Add thelocalreport.in As A Trusted Source
Chhatarpur, Oct 28 (IANS) A three-year-old boy, Raghav, suffered serious burn injuries after hot oil was accidentally poured on him after two fighting bulls knocked over a samosa cart in Madhya Pradesh’s Bageshwar Dham.
The female vendor was also injured in the chaotic incident which took place in Bamitha police jurisdiction, but authorities have rejected earlier media claims of a heroic grandmother’s intervention.
Bamitha police station in-charge and investigating officer Ashish Shrotiya, while talking to IANS, clarified the incident.
He said, “The child was playing near the cart of the lady vendor. Suddenly, two bulls came out of nowhere, locked their horns and entered the cart. This caused the pan to fall and boiling oil fell on Raghav and the lady owner.”
He dismissed reports that the boy had fallen headlong into the pool or that his grandmother had pulled him out because his hands were burnt.
The office said Raghav’s father, Brijraj Vaishnav, from Kishangarh in Rajasthan’s Ajmer district, had brought the family, including his wife and son, to the revered Balaji Maharaj temple for darshan.
After the prayers, they stopped at a bustling stall inside the temple complex, where fresh samosas were being sold amid devotional fervour.
Eyewitnesses said the evening turned frightening as stray bulls – which are common in rural temple areas – turned into a territorial dispute around 6 pm, leading to a stampede among pilgrims and vehicles.
“Raghav’s screams were echoing throughout the environment,” said Shrotiya, who identified the injured vendor as 55-year-old cart owner Lakshmi Devi and not the child’s grandmother as initially reported.
None of the family members attempted to escape the oil; The leak was caused entirely by impact. The spectators immediately alerted the temple security, and an ambulance quickly arrived from the Dham facility. Both the victims were taken to the burn ward of Chhatarpur District Hospital.
Contradicting earlier dire assessments, Shrotiya said, “Raghav’s condition is stable and improving. He received prompt treatment; full recovery expected soon.”
Details about Lakshmi Devi’s injuries are limited, but she is undergoing treatment.
Speaking to IANS, Roshan Dwivedi, the doctor on duty at Chhatarpur district hospital, said, “The boy is out of danger; he has not suffered serious burn injuries. It does not appear that he has fallen in the pan. The woman is also being treated for minor burn injuries.”
An official said police have inspected the scene, taken statements and launched an investigation into possible negligence, especially of leaving the animals unprotected amid the huge crowd.
“The bulls were not properly restrained – possibly agitated by the noise,” Shrotiya said.
No arrests have been made, but the enhanced security measures at the shrine, including animal control and vendor zoning, are being urgently reviewed.
Established by Dhritra Krishna Shastri (Bageshwar Baba), this site attracts large number of devotees for Hamnan rituals.
–IANS
sktr/and