Ludhiana gas leak deaths: A ‘doctor saheb’, an accountant… they came to Punjab for a better future

Eleven persons died and two fell ill owing to a gas leak (Express photos by Gurmeet Singh)

Five of a family

Kavilash, 40, his wife Varsha, 35, their daughter Kalpna, 16, and sons – Abhynarayan, 13, and Aryan, 10 – died after inhaling poisonous gas. They lived in a 100-square-yard house from where Kavilash also ran his private clinic. He was popularly known as ‘Dr Saheb’ in the area and his wife Varsha used to assist him in running the clinic.

Kavilash’s paternal uncle Dr Satyendra Kumar said he had a Bachelor’s degree in dental surgery. “Kavilash had come to Ludhiana 28 years ago in search of a better life after completing his course in Gaya, Bihar. He hailed from Manjiyaama village. He started his practice in Giaspura from a rented accommodation. Later, he got married to Varsha and they built their own house. Their children were studying at Sacred Heart Convent School located in Jamalpur… We don’t know what happened on Sunday morning and his entire family died… We need justice and want the government to provide relief to the family. We will be taking the bodies to Bihar for cremation.”

Couple from Bihar

Navneet Kumar, 39, an accountant in Aarti Steels, and his wife Neetu Devi, 36, also died in Sunday’s gas leak. Their house is located just two buildings from Kavilash’s. The couple’s daughter, Nandini, a minor, is fine. While Navneet’s elder brother Nitin, 40, who lives in the same house, has been admitted to the civil hospital. The family hails from Hajipur in Bihar.

“Navneet’s father had come to Ludhiana for work more than 40 years ago. He, too, worked in Aarti Steels. Navneet’s father returned to Bihar after his retirement,” said Suraj, an acquaintance of Navneet, who lived in the backside of the same lane but was not affected by the gas leak. Navneet and Neetu were taken to Satguru Partap Singh Hospital on GT Road. Their bodies were sent to the Civil Hospital.

Manjeet Kumar, who also works in Aarti Steels, said: “Whatever happened seemed to have affected only a few houses.”

The gas leak occured in Ludhiana’s Giaspura area Sunday morning (Express photo by Gurmeet Singh)

Store owner and his family

Saurav Goyal, 35, who ran the Goyal kirana store located near the houses of Kavilash and Navneet is another victim. His wife Preety, 31, and mother Kamlesh Goyal, 60, also passed away. Saurav’s elder brother Gaurav, 50, has been admitted to the hospital.

Saurav used to sell grocery items like milk, and milk products. He had two stores – Goyal kirana store and Goyal confectionery store – and lived in a portion of the same building. He had big chilling containers inside his grocery unit to store milk. Notably, the sewerage manhole is located close to the Kirana store and that was in a damaged condition, confirmed sources . Saurav and Preety ‘s 10 month old son has survived . Inderjit Singh police inspector from Giaspura police station said,” we found the child alive while 3 of this family died . The child has been handed over to the relatives of Goyal family in Jamalpur area. ”

The eleventh deceased was identified as Amit Gupta (25). He was an acquaintance of Goyal’s. His family is awaited from UP to claim the body.

Others undergoing treatment

Apart from Saurav’s brother Gaurav Goyal (50) and Navneet’s brother Nitin (40), Rajesh Kumar, (28), a resident of Street Number 1 Sitara Cinema near Sua Road, and Rubi Devi, (29), who lives in Makkar colony, are undergoing treatment. While gaurav and Nitin are admitted to civil hospital, Rajesh and Rubi admitted in Oswal hospital.