Venkateswara Swamy Temple owner booked on charges of 'culpable homicide' says Srikakulam SP

At least nine persons including a boy were killed reportedly after they fell down from a six-feet-high wall when they attempted to escape from rush after an iron railing was damaged inside Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple in Kasibugga town in Srikakulam district on Saturday (November 1, 2025).

Several dead at Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Srikakulam, updates on November 1, 2025

Srikakulam Superintendent of Police (SP) K.V. Maheswara Reddy told The Hindu, "It is not a stampede per se. Nine devotees have been killed and two devotees are battling with severe injuries after they fell down from the wall which is connected to the railing. The devotees attempted to escape from the queue in panic after the iron railing was damaged.”

“The helath condition of the two survivors is critical,” said Mr. Maheswara Reddy.

“A case has been registered against the temple owner, Hari Mukunda Panda, under various sections under culpable homicide for the negligence that caused the death of the devotees," said Mr. Maheswara Reddy.

The bodies have been shifted to the government hospital in Kasibugga for post-mortem and their identities are being established.