Bengaluru: A man’s decision to let his son learn computer skills during school holidays ended in heartbreak after the 15-year-old was forced into hazardous labour and died in a horrific hydraulic lift accident at a hardware store. The father has accused the shopowners of employing the minor illegally and ignoring basic safety precautions.Ameen Allabaksha Syed, a painter, told police his family recently moved to KG Halli from Mumbai. His son, Salman Khan, had completed his class 9 exams in Mumbai and came to the city during school vacations. As there was a delay in obtaining his school records to secure admission to class 10 at a Bengaluru school, Syed wanted him to learn computer-related work during the break.Syed became acquainted with Noushad Ali, Mohammed Meenar, and M Shafivulla, owners of Nellai Hardware Stores on Tannery Road. They agreed to teach Salman computer work. Trusting them, Syed left his son at the store on June 8.However, instead of being trained in computer work, the boy was allegedly made to carry heavy 20-litre paint cans between floors using a hydraulic material lift. Syed told police that Salman had informed him about the work, and he had already decided to withdraw him from the shop once his school admission process was completed.However, tragedy unfolded on June 28. Shafivulla called Syed around 12.40pm and asked him to rush to the store, informing him that his son was injured. When Syed reached the shop, he found his son lying dead, with his head trapped in the hydraulic lift.According to witnesses, Salman was asked to transport paint cans from the ground to first floor. While using the hydraulic material lift, his hair allegedly became entangled in the machinery, causing him to fall, after which his head was crushed in the lift mechanism.Syed has alleged that the shopowners illegally employed his minor son in hazardous work, failed to provide adequate safety measures, and allowed him to operate a hydraulic lift that was not functioning properly.Police have registered a case against the hardware store owners under the Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act and BNS Section 106 (causing death by negligence). The accused have been served notice, a senior police officer said.
