Kochi Corporation has suspended a health inspector of its Kaloor health circle alleging lapses in the assessment and approval of the mass dance event held at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium on December 29.

Uma Thomas, MLA, had suffered serious head and spine injuries after falling from a temporary gallery set up as part of the inaugural session of the programme.

A communication issued by Mayor M. Anilkumar on Wednesday (January 1) said that M. N. Nitha, Health Inspector, Kaloor 16-circle, has been suspended pending inquiry. The official should have visited the site and submitted a report to the higher-ups. The lapses were revealed after the Corporation Secretary convened a meeting on Tuesday (December 31, 2024) to discuss the allegations raised against the conduct of the event.

The event organisers had approached the health inspector a day before the programme seeking the Public Performance License under the Kerala Places of Public Resort Act that regulates the licensing and inspection of places of public entertainment and resort. The health wing informed the secretary that the license was not issued on the inference that there was no collection of money for the event.

However, the Mayor said that allegations had emerged that the event was organised for financial gains. The secretary has been told to inquire into the lapses, if any, on the part of the revenue, health, and engineering wings of the civic body in connection with the event, according to the release.