Magisterial probe ordered into Nainital crash that killed 5

Nainital: Nearly a week after a road accident on the Bhowali–Dunikhal motor road claimed five lives, the district administration ordered a magisterial inquiry into the crash in which an Uttarakhand native working with a medical company in Lucknow, his wife, two sons and their driver died after their vehicle plunged nearly 500m into a gorge on May 21.Nainital district magistrate Lalit Mohan Rayal said, “This probe aims to uncover the causes of the accident, examine possible technical failures or human negligence, and recommend measures to prevent such tragedies in future.”Following the directive, the sub-divisional magistrate of Shri Kainchi Dham has initiated the inquiry process. The administration has invited members of the public to submit any information, evidence or eyewitness accounts related to the accident at the SDM office on working days till June 8.To facilitate the investigation, the assistant regional transport officer, Haldwani, has been asked to submit a technical inspection report of the vehicle within a week, while the chief medical officer, Nainital, has been directed to provide medical records of the deceased.The circle officer, Bhowali, has been instructed to provide the FIR, inquest report, post-mortem reports, site inspection findings and other relevant documents. The executive engineer of the public works department in Nainital has been asked to submit a report on road safety infrastructure, including crash barriers, warning signs, and other preventive measures along the route.The Tehsildar of Shri Kainchi Dham has been directed to publicise the inquiry notice and ensure wider dissemination of information regarding the investigation.