9-year-old boy electrocuted while playing at MCD park in Delhi’s Kalkaji

According to the police, a call was received at 9.30 pm on Saturday at the Kalkaji police station about the incident. On reaching the spot, police learned that the boy, Aryaman, had been rushed to the hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival.

Police said the incident took place when the child went to fetch a ball that was near an electric pole. “The child went near the pole to get the ball, and accidentally came in contact with an open switchboard. He was electrocuted,” a police officer said.

Some neighbours rushed to help Aryaman. Tara Chaudhary, one of the women in the park, managed to pull him by his T-shirt. A doctor from the neighbourhood even attempted CPR on the child, but couldn’t revive him, said the officer.

The child lived in one of the DDA flats near the park. His father, Randeep Chaudhary, is a yoga teacher.

Police said an investigation is underway to identify those responsible for the maintenance of the electric infrastructure in the park. A case has been registered under section 289 (negligent conduct with respect to machinery) and other sections of the BNS against unknown persons. The area around the switchboard in the park has been sealed, said an officer.

The incident has sparked concerns among the locals about the safety and maintenance of the parks. “Some residents gathered on Sunday for a small prayer ceremony for the child. They raised concerns about similar parks in the area,” said a local.