A 40-year-old man and his 11-year-old son died after falling from the 23rd floor of a residential tower at Mahagun Mywoods Society in Greater Noida in Uttar Pradesh’s Gautam Buddha district, on Friday, while reportedly plucking flowers for a puja, police said.

The incident took place in the Bisrakh police station area and triggered panic in the residential society, leaving the family devastated.

According to preliminary information, the father, identified as Randeep Patra, son of Amal Kumar Patra, and his son, Aarav, had gone to the balcony to pluck flowers for the morning puja.

During the process, the child slipped and fell from the balcony. The father reportedly attempted to save him but lost his balance and fell from the 23rd floor as well.

According to police, the Bisrakh police station received information through a Police Response Vehicle (PRV) on Friday about two people falling from a height at Tower 23 of Mahagun Mywoods Society.

A police team immediately reached the spot and found the father and son critically injured. They were rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared them dead.

During the preliminary inquiry, the deceased man’s wife told the police that she had to leave early on Friday morning to visit the Khatu Shyam Temple. Her husband and son had gone to the balcony to collect flowers for the morning puja before her departure.

Initial information suggests that the child slipped while collecting flowers and was left hanging from the balcony, prompting his father to intervene. However, the father also lost his balance, causing both to fall.

Police said the exact circumstances leading to the incident would be established after a detailed investigation. All aspects of the case are being examined.

After completing the necessary inquest proceedings, the police initiated the process of sending the bodies for post-mortem examination.

Further legal proceedings are underway.

BJP leaders on Friday criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and the Opposition parties over their protest against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, accusing them of misleading people and questioning the credibility of constitutional institutions for political purposes.

BJP leader Ram Kadam alleged that Rahul Gandhi’s conduct and recent actions were undermining the reputation of constitutional institutions, including the judiciary and the Election Commission of India (ECI).

“Rahul Gandhi’s conduct, character and recent actions are an insult to constitutional institutions and damage their reputation. On one hand, they claim to respect the Constitution, while on the other, they put political pressure on constitutional institutions such as the judiciary and the Election Commission,” Kadam told media.

He said those who had concerns regarding the electoral rolls should come forward with evidence and suggestions instead of staging protests.

“If you have any concerns, evidence or suggestions, come forward and present them. The deadline for submitting claims regarding voter list revisions has also been extended, and those whose names are missing can raise their concerns. They have no evidence or suggestions and are only trying to mislead people. You cannot win politics by misleading people,” he added.

The BJP leader’s remarks came amid the Congress-led Opposition’s campaign against the SIR exercise and its preparations for a rally at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan on November 1, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the revision of electoral rolls.

Chhattisgarh Minister Guru Khushwant Saheb also criticised the Congress over their protest in Delhi, accusing them of spreading confusion and attempting to disturb the country’s peaceful atmosphere.

“The way the CJP and Congress party are trying to instigate, spread confusion, and spread lies to the citizens of the entire country, and somewhere trying to spoil the harmonious and peaceful atmosphere that exists in the whole country, it seems they are trying to make India into Bangladesh. But the citizens of India will not let it become Bangladesh, because all of us, our belief is in democracy, our belief is in our Constitution, which was made by Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar,” he said.

Meanwhile, BJP Telangana State president Ramchander Rao targeted Congress over its allegations concerning voter deletions, citing remarks by Karnataka Minister Satish Jarkiholi that, according to Rao, indicated that the deleted votes were genuine.

“The false campaign over SIR continues despite Karnataka Minister Satish Jarkiholi stating that there has been no deletion of votes and that the deleted votes were genuine. Congress must explain why it is spreading this misinformation,” Rao told media.

He maintained that people whose names had been deleted from the electoral rolls could seek their re-inclusion by submitting an application along with proof of residence and any of the 12 identity documents recognised by the Election Commission of India.

The BJP leaders’ statements came as preparations gathered pace for the Congress rally at Ramlila Maidan, in support of their demand for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the SIR process.

Police personnel have begun positioning themselves around the 12-acre Ramlila Maidan, installing baggage-screening devices and metal detectors as security arrangements are strengthened ahead of the November 1 rally.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and party MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Friday expressed concern over the devastation caused by Cyclone Arnab in Andhra Pradesh and heavy rainfall and flooding in Odisha, urging party workers to extend all possible assistance to the affected people.

Priyanka Gandhi took to X to express solidarity with those affected by the cyclone and adverse weather conditions in the two states and appealed to Congress workers to support relief and rescue operations.

“My thoughts are with the people of Andhra Pradesh facing the devastation caused by Cyclone Arnab and those in Odisha affected by heavy rainfall and flooding. I pray for everyone’s safety and urge Congress workers to extend every possible help to those affected and support relief and rescue efforts,” she posted.

Kharge also expressed grief over the loss of lives in Andhra Pradesh and the disruption caused by the cyclone in Odisha. He urged the Union government to coordinate relief and rehabilitation measures with the respective state governments and ensure assistance to affected families.

“Deeply distressed by the loss of lives in Andhra Pradesh and the massive disruption to people’s lives in Odisha caused by Cyclone Arnab. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. The Union Government must lead coordinated relief and rehabilitation efforts with State Governments, ensuring timely assistance through PMCARES fund to all the affected families. I urge Congress workers to extend all possible help to those in distress,” Kharge said in his post on X.

Meanwhile, Cyclone Arnab claimed seven lives in Andhra Pradesh and caused estimated losses of Rs 4,600 crore, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said on Thursday.

After conducting an aerial survey of the cyclone-hit areas, the Chief Minister said the preliminary estimate of damage stood at Rs 4,600 crore, but the figure could increase following a detailed assessment.

CM Naidu said he had spoken to Union Home Minister Amit Shah about the damage caused by the cyclone, briefed him on the prevailing situation and the measures taken by the state government, and submitted a preliminary report on the losses to the Centre.

The Odisha government has also intensified rescue and relief operations in Ganjam and Gajapati districts following severe flooding triggered by exceptionally heavy rainfall due to the cyclone.