Four workers enter septic tank on promise of extra money, die of toxic fumes

The deceased were identified as Sanjeev Pal, Himanshu Singh, Rohit Pal, and Arpit Yadav, local police officials said. Two more, Ajay Chauhan and Rajpal, were rushed in a critical condition to Mahatma Gandhi Hospital, while two others, Amit Pal and Suraj Pal, were discharged after primary medical care. The workers had gone down a 10-foot-deep tank and lost consciousness.

Police said initial investigation suggested that the workers were reluctant to enter the tank due to the intense heat and presence of toxic gases. However, the company management persuaded them with the promise of extra money. According to police, Amit and Rohit were the first to descend into the tank. Soon, they began gasping and calling for help. The remaining six went down the tank one after another to help the first two out, but also fell unconscious. A police official said the septic tank contained a chemical sludge, believed to be carrying particles of gold and silver, residue from the jewellery manufacturing and cleaning processes. The sludge is periodically cleaned to extract valuable metals, a practice not uncommon in jewellery units.

The Congress party attacked the Bhajan Lal Sharma government following the deaths, with former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot saying that 11 persons had died in the state in the last ten days in this manner. “In the last 10 days, 11 people have died while cleaning septic tanks and gutters in Deeg, Bikaner and now Jaipur. It seems that the state government is not paying attention to the sanitation workers. The state government has announced to buy machines in the budget but till now that announcement is on paper. When will the government wake up?”

Congress state president Govind Singh Dotasra said, “This is gross negligence of the BJP Government and its indifference towards the rules made for the safety of sanitation workers. Such accidents are happening again and again but the government is not concerned. I demand from the government that the accident be investigated and strict action be taken against the culprits.”

Meanwhile, the Rajasthan State Human Rights Commission issued notices to the Jaipur Collector and Police Commissioner. The Commission Chairperson Justice G R Moolchandani took suo moto cognisance and issued the notices.

“Notices have been issued to the District Collector and Jaipur Police Commissioner, expecting them to conduct an effective investigation in the matter, take immediate action against the culprits, submit its report to the Commission and ensure providing the required compensation amount to the dependents/family members of the deceased,” the chairperson said in the order.

“Also, by issuing notice to Achal Jewellers Private Limited’s owner Arun Kumar Kothari and CEO Vikas Mehta, the Commission expects them to provide compensation amount to the dependents/family members of the workers at their own level and send its compliance report and its reply to the Commission without delay,” the order said.