Actor Yash visited the village of three victims fans who died of electrocution while putting up a flex banner to celebrate his birthday.
Three men in their twenties were electrocuted in Karnataka’s Gadag last midnight on Sunday when a metal frame of a huge banner of actor Yash they were trying to put up for his birthday came in contact with a power line, police said.
Police said the three, identified as Hanumant Harijan (24), Murali Naduvinamani (20) and Naveen Gaaji (20), were fans of the actor. The accident happened around 1 o’clock on Monday.
Yash, who is known for his role in KGF, was out shooting for his next movie Toxic, when the incident happened. He reached Hubballi airport on Monday evening and drove over 50 km to Suranagi village in Lakshmeshwar taluk to meet the families of the three and mourn their deaths. On January 4, Yash had earlier informed his fans that he would not be able to meet them on his birthday this year as he was busy shooting.
Gadag Superintendent of Police (SP) Babasaheb Nemagowda said the locals were installing iron frames for banners when the accident occurred. “Three of them were electrocuted while pulling the banner and three were injured,” he said.
“The banner had a metal frame that was connected to a HESCOM cable. A case has been registered,” he added. Shirhatti MLA Chandru Lamani appealed to people to avoid putting up metal frame banners.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced a compensation of ₹2 lakh for the family of three. “Sad to hear the death of three youths due to electrocution while making flakes for actor Yash’s birthday at Surangi village in Lakshmeshwar taluk of Gadag district,” he said.
Leader of Opposition R Ashok said the government should limit the use of such cut-outs. “What happened in Gadake is tragic. Film actors should ask their fans not to place such cut-outs that can lead to such tragedies and the government should also ban such cut-outs,” he said.
