Friday, Apr 19, 2024 | Last Update : 09:04 AM IST
Death probe delay hurts footballer’s kin
Nitisha was part of India’s Under-17 soccer team visiting Australia to participate in the Pacific School Games.
New Delhi: The family of late Nitisha Negi, a 15-year-old female footballer from Delhi, are running from pillar to post to get the inquiry report of her death initiated by the Delhi government. They are also awaiting any action being taken for the last one year.
Nitisha has been selected for the prestigious Geeta Chopra Award posthumously this year for sacrificing her life in an attempt to save her friend from drowning at Glenelg Beach in Adelaide, Australia.
Nitisha was part of India’s Under-17 soccer team visiting Australia to participate in the Pacific School Games. The event was jointly organised by the School Games Federation of India (SGFI), the government of Australia, and the School Sports, Australia.
On December 10, 2017, Nitisha had gone to Glenelg Beach along with her team members. While there, a huge wave lashed onto the shore. Some girls panicked and lost their balance. Nitisha saw one of them asking for help and went ahead to save her. She pulled the girl out of the water. However, during her daring rescue bid she herself got swept away by the waves. Her body was recovered 13 hours after the accident.
“The cause of death is still unknown. We received the death certificate on December 12, 2017, from the Australian authority. It mentioned that the cause of death is unknown pending coronial inquiry,” said Puran Singh Negi, the father of the deceased.
“It is over one year since Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia visited our home and Delhi government gave orders to make an enquiry into Nitisha’s death. They promised to provide the report within a month. But they have submitted no report till date,” he said.
The family alleged that through this ordeal, they have been frantically trying to get in touch with SGFI officials for answers but have met with little luck so far.
“We have lost what was most dear to us. SGFI has been irresponsible in taking so many children to the beach without any provision for ensuring their safety. She didn’t even know how to swim,” said Mr Negi.
