Akshatha Pai-Amballi
Credit: Special Arrangement
Siddapur/Karwar (Uttara Kannada district): Bengaluru techie Aashay Amballi and his Chartered Accountant-wife Akshatha Pai, both avid fans of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), took a half-day leave on Wednesday to catch a glimpse of Virat Kohli and other star cricketers at an hurriedly organised victory parade. But fate dealt this newly-wed couple from Siddapur in Uttara Kannada district, a cruel blow.
They both got stuck in the stampede that occurred at Gate 17. While Aashay somehow survived the horror, Akshatha was crushed to death.
Akshatha. a native of Puttur, had bagged a gold medal in CA exam.
Recalling the harrowing moment, Aashay told DH, "Akshatha and I were working in private firms in Bengaluru. We got married one-and-a-half year ago. I learnt about the victory parade from RCB's Instagram post. We took half-day leave and doning RCB jersey we left to Chinnaswamy Stadium to catch a glimpse of the victory parade. There was a massive crowd at gate number 17. I held my wife's hand firmly and moved towards the gate. Soon the crowd went berserk and my grip loosened as I fell down. A few people pulled me up. I couldn't find Akshatha.
I went around looking for her. I enquired with the police. Just when a young man showed me a video clip of a woman in an RCB jersey being carried away. I made a frenetic round of hospitals in the city. Finally, I found her lying lifeless at Bowring Hospital," describes Aashay, his voice becoming moist, trying to control his tears.
Akshatha's body was brought to Siddapur from Bengaluru on Thursday. The final rites were performed at a burial ground here. Sirsi Assistant Commissioner Kavyarani and Tahsildar M R Kulkarni visited the family and consoled them.