Man ‘forced to clean’ sewer outside Delhi mall dies; 3 men booked

A housekeeping supervisor working with the company, Rajpal, lodged a police complaint alleging that the company executives would force the sweepers to clean the mall’s sewers. Rajpal also named the mall plumber, the mall maintenance supervisor and the facility manager as the main accused.

Subsequently, the police booked the three men under several sections of the Indian Penal Code on charges including negligent conduct with respect to poisonous substances, causing death by negligence etc along with Section 9 of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act.

The incident took place on Sunday, May 12.

“I was outside the mall in the afternoon when I saw a man go inside the sewer without any protective gear,” an eyewitness told The Indian Express. “After some time, there was some chaos and another person went inside the sewer in a panic. When they did not come out, a third person brought some pipes and ropes and went inside. He pulled the two people out using ropes,” she added.

“A mall guard then rushed to the spot and began pouring water on the men’s faces to revive them, but that did not work. They were then rushed to the hospital nearby,” the eyewitness recalled.

The men were rushed to Dr Baba Saheb Ambedkar Hospital where Prasad was declared dead on arrival and Sagar was treated for breathing issues.

The chairman of the Delhi Commission for Safai Karamcharis, Sanjay Gehlot, expressed dismay over the incident. “Not a month goes by when a labourer does not lose his/her life to such work. We have made several requests to the Delhi government regarding this and given them directions as well but have seen no implementation. The Delhi government does give Rs 25 lakh as compensation… but how do we air our grievances and give them directions? I hope the compensation is given to the family as soon as possible so that they are given some closure,” Gehlot said.