Two labourers die cleaning STP at Delhi hospital: 5 questioned over ‘safety lapses’

Those questioned included a safety supervisor at the hospital, Friends Enviro Engineers — responsible for the operation and maintenance of the STP — and representatives of the equipment manufacturer of carbon filters.

Police further said they would bring in technical experts from government departments to advise them on the workings of the STP and whether the deaths could be categorised as deaths related to sewage work. “The categorisation would be critical in determining the safety violations that took place,” a senior officer said.

The bodies were handed over to the families of the deceased on Thursday following post-mortem examination, said police.

Both the labourers were living with their families in Madipur in the city. Vikram is survived by his wife and four children and Brijesh is survived by his wife.

A man, who claimed to be working at the hospital, had alleged that the supervisor sent Brijesh into the septic tank without any protective gear. “Earlier in the day, he came out… complaining of a severe headache, but his plea was ignored. The same evening, around 6.30 pm, Brijesh and Vikram were told to go inside the tank. This time, Brijesh refused to go inside… but was forced, and eventually he did. Unfortunately, this time, both of them never came back,” the worker had alleged on Wednesday.

In a statement, the hospital had said on Wednesday, “An unfortunate accident took place at Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute, Paschim Vihar, New Delhi. Workers of Friends Enviro Engineers, who are responsible for the operation and maintenance of the sewage treatment plant, were carrying out the servicing of activated carbon filters.”

“Brijesh and Vikram met with an accident while carrying out their regular work of servicing activated carbon filters. The staff of the hospital rescued them at the earliest, and they were given the best possible treatment. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, they couldn’t be saved. The hospital is fully cooperating with the local police authorities in their proceedings,” the statement had added.