Springing into action after the death of a biker on Friday who fell into a pit that was dug by the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) in Delhi’s Janakpuri, Delhi Police have detained a sub-contractor, officials said.
Investigations revealed that the sub-contractor, Rajesh Prajapati, was informed about the accident hours earlier but failed to take any action. He is being questioned and is likely to be placed under arrest.
Kamal Dhyani, 25, a resident of Kailashpuri and an employee of a private bank, was returning home when he fell into the nearly 15-feet-deep pit dug for a sewer pipeline rehabilitation project.
Officials said initial probe revealed that a family passing through the area on the intervening night noticed that Dhyani may have fallen into the pit.
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They immediately alerted a security guard deployed at the site and a person living in a tent nearby. The guard, who had been employed by Prajapati, reportedly informed a junior staff member the same night, stating that a person had fallen into the pit.
However, despite being informed at around 12.22, Prajapati failed to check inside the pit or take any further steps, even though he had seen a motorcycle fallen inside, officials said.
The victim’s family has alleged negligence on DJB’s part, saying they suspect foul play in his death.
An FIR has been registered at Janakpuri Police Station under section 105 (culpable homicide) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita against the contractor and concerned DJB officials, with DJB engineers having been suspended in the matter, officials said.
The Delhi government has also ordered a probe into the incident and directed Jal Board engineers to visit all ongoing construction sites and take corrective measures by Saturday evening, officials said.
“Site visits are ongoing, engineers have been directed to identify shortcomings and take corrective measures by evening at all ongoing construction sites,” a senior DJB official said.
According to another senior government official, an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh is likely to be given to the victim family soon.
Police said the investigation is being carried out on priority, and strict legal action will be taken against those found guilty.
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