In a scene straight out of Danny Boyle’s 127 Hours, a Bengaluru resident who fell into a ditch at Gaganachukki Falls on Saturday, survived for over 50 hours, after being trapped between two boulders. However, he will be booked for illegal trespass.
Khader Pasha of Kadirenahalli was rescued on Monday but his relief was short-lived as the Forest Department has decided to register a criminal case against him for illegally entering restricted forest areas.
Khader claims to have lost balance and slipped while trying to climb down the steps to the waterfalls on Saturday. Pasha said he had sustained injuries but survived for two days by just drinking water, as reported in The Deccan Herald.
Police said Basha visited a dargah near the falls on Saturday and later began descending the falls. He slipped from 300 ft and was trapped between two boulders, sustaining injuries to his leg. His screams for help went unheard because of the roaring waters around him, according to a report by The Hindu.
On Monday evening, Khader attracted the attention of visitors by waving his jerkin and the visitors alerted local police officials who rescued him. He was given treatment at a local hospital.
An official speaking to The Hindu said that a case will be booked under sections of the Indian Forest Act against Basha for trespassing.
Police are considering taking steps against Basha with Mandya Superintendent of Police G Radhika saying, “We have sent a report to the Range Forest Officer for registering the case.”
Police are also mulling whether they should charge Basha under the Indian Penal Code.
Trekking in the waterfall had turned fatal for Amarnath, 50, a resident of Chickballapura, who drowned there on Tuesday morning.
An tourism department official told The Hindu, “We will take measures to install safety railings and chains, and deploy guides to ensure safety of tourists.”
