Pool mgmt told to pay ₹9.7 lakh compensation

Dharwad: The District Consumer Grievances Redressal Forum has ordered the management of a swimming pool to pay a compensation of Rs 9.74 lakh to the mother of a youth who died in the pool.
Shiraj Annigeri, 26, from Annigeri in Navalgund taluk, had come to the private swimming pool near new court complex in Hubballi on March 10, 2023 along with his friends. After bying a ticket, he had entered the pool. He later drowned and died.
His mother Maimunabi had filed a complaint in the District Consumer Grievances Redressal Forum alleging that the management of the swimming pool had not arranged for trained coaches and life savers and its negligence had caused her son’s death.
The forum had issued notices to the swimming pool management and New India Assurance Company with whom the pool management had insurance. The respondents denied all the charges and stated that the post mortem report had pointed out that the deceased had consumed alcohol. They said it was violation of the terms and conditions of the insurance policy and refused to pay compensation.
After hearing both sides, the consumer forum headed by judge Ishappa Bhute decreed that there was lapse on the part of swimming pool management and insurance company and ordered payment of Rs 9.74 lakh to Maimunabi within a month.