Truck kills 15 devotees heading to temple in India’s Madhya Pradesh, eight police suspended

INDIA: Fifteen people were killed and at least 29 injured after a truck carrying paddy lost control on a downhill stretch and struck devotees walking towards the Sheetla Mata temple in Gwalior district, Madhya Pradesh, India, at around 1.30am on Sunday (18 October).

The accident occurred on the road leading to the temple from the Chinor side, where heavy vehicles are prohibited during Navratri because of the large number of pilgrims visiting the shrine.

According to officials, the truck veered to the left while descending the slope before crashing into the temple wall.

The impact trapped people beneath debris. Two police personnel deployed at the site were also injured.

Police said the driver had allegedly followed a shortcut recommended by Google Maps, taking the truck into the restricted area before losing control.

Eight police personnel suspended

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav ordered the transfer of a City Superintendent of Police and the suspension of eight police personnel following the accident.

The suspended officers comprised three station house officers, a traffic inspector, a head constable and three constables.

Yadav also directed officials to conduct a detailed investigation, establish responsibility and take action against those found at fault.

“The accident occurred because the truck entered a prohibited area,” he said, adding that security arrangements would be reviewed to prevent similar incidents.

He said negligence in matters involving public safety would not be tolerated.

Driver and truck owner arrested

The truck driver, Dilbag Singh, allegedly fled the scene but was subsequently arrested alongside the vehicle's owner, Harpreet Singh.

Both men are from Punjab and were detained in Dholpur district in neighbouring Rajasthan.

A senior police officer said the men had loaded paddy onto two trucks at a market yard in Dabra.

They reportedly relied on Google Maps while travelling outside their home state and entered the road where heavy vehicles were restricted.

The officer said investigators were examining how the truck passed two locations where checks and barricades should have been in place.

A team from the Regional Transport Office has also been sent to inspect the truck mechanically and determine what caused the driver to lose control.

Inquiry to examine security lapses

The Gwalior district administration has ordered a magisterial inquiry, with Additional District Magistrate C B Prasad instructed to submit a report within seven days.

District Collector Ruchika Chauhan said a traffic stopper and police checkpoint had been present on the road during Navratri.

Investigators will examine how the truck entered the restricted stretch despite these measures.

The inquiry will look into the circumstances of the accident and whether lapses in traffic control or enforcement contributed to the tragedy.

Compensation announced for victims

Yadav announced compensation of 400,000 rupees (approximately US$4,500) for the family of each deceased victim, 200,000 rupees (approximately US$2,104) for each seriously injured person and 50,000 rupees (approximately US$526) for each other injured person.

He said the affected families were from Gwalior, Shivpuri and Sheopur districts in Madhya Pradesh.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed grief over the deaths and announced ex gratia payments of 200,000 rupees for the next of kin of each deceased victim and 50,000 rupees for each injured person.

The investigation remains ongoing as authorities seek to establish how the truck gained access to the restricted road and whether security procedures were properly followed.