Tue Apr 08 14:29:21 UTC 2025: ## Eight-Year-Old Drowns at Visakhapatnam Sports Club, Sparking Outrage

**VISAKHAPATNAM, Andhra Pradesh, April 8, 2025** – An eight-year-old boy, Vasupalli Rishith Sai Shankar, drowned at the Viswanadh Sports Club (VSC) water park in Akkayyapalem on Monday, sparking outrage and calls for the club’s closure. The incident came to light after police registered a case on Tuesday.

According to police, the boy was playing in the pool with cousins when he drowned. Despite attempts to revive him, he was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Visakhapatnam North MLA P. Vishnu Kumar Raju (BJP) vehemently criticized VSC’s management for alleged negligence, calling the boy’s death a “murder due to negligence.” He cited a lack of safety measures, pointing to a previous incident involving his granddaughter who suffered injuries during a go-karting accident at the club due to a lack of safety equipment. He also claimed numerous other incidents of children being injured at the VSC had been reported. The MLA has called for the immediate closure of the club and demanded a thorough investigation into its safety protocols and licensing.

CPI(M) members staged a protest demanding strict action against VSC, echoing the MLA’s calls and demanding ₹1 crore in ex gratia to the victim’s family. CPI(M) corporator B. Ganga Rao further urged the government to reclaim the land leased to VSC.

Gondu Sitaram, a member of the AP State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (APSCPCR), has ordered officials to submit a report on the incident. The Port authorities have also expressed shock and pledged to conduct an inquiry. The investigation is ongoing.

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