Who checks amusement ride safety in Lucknow after accident?

Two minor girls, aged 14 and 16, were injured at a Sawan Mela in Indira Nagar, Lucknow, on August 18. The police initially said a rod from a Ferris wheel fell and struck the girls, but an FIR filed the next day by the mother of the 14-year-old alleged that the seat of the swing broke while in operation, causing serious injuries including broken teeth and a possible leg fracture. The FIR, registered under Sections 289 and 125(b) of the BNS, names the swing operator and organiser, alleging that proper safety checks were not done before the ride operated. Sub-inspector Praful Kumar Yadav has been assigned the investigation.

The accident has revealed a lack of clarity over which agency is responsible for certifying temporary rides. Ghazipur SHO RK Maurya said police grant permission for the fair's layout and venue but not for individual rides, which require separate approval from the district administration. However, Lucknow district magistrate Vishak G told HT that the district administration does not separately grant permission for rides and that the police, once they permit a fair, should ensure the necessary checks. With the festive season approaching and several temporary fairs expected across the city, the question of who physically verifies ride fitness remains unresolved.