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Journalism of Courage
Weeks after four labourers died due to asphyxiation at a textile unit in Surat, three employees of the firm have been booked for causing death by negligence. General Secretary of Gujarat Congress Darshan Naik wrote to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Saturday, seeking strict action against the owner of Kiran Industries over the death of four labourers in a chemical waste tank at the textile unit.
Palsana police inspector A D Chavda said, “We have registered a complaint against those responsible for the death of these four labourers. The labourers should be given proper safety equipment and cleaning work should be carried out under the supervision of the authorities.”
On November 14, the incident happened at the yarn dyeing unit in Baleshwar village when Rajubhai Bodhaniya, one of the labourers, was cleaning a wastewater tank. The factory was closed due to the Diwali break. Police said that Rajubhai was emptying the wastewater inside the tank with the help of a motor and one motor pipe was inserted in the tank. When the motor stopped, due to chemical dust entering the pipe, Rajubhai entered the tank to clean the pipe.
After some time, when Rajubhai did not come out, his son Kalpesh who was standing nearby shouted out to him but there was no response. He too then entered the tank. Two other labourers Shahbaz Shaikh and Dipak Umashanker followed. Geetadevi, Rajubhai’s wife, later informed other labourers, Bardoli fire department and police.
The Fire Department officials rushed to the spot and took out the bodies. Police lodged an accidental death case. A team of the GPCB (Gujarat Pollution Control Board) also visited the spot. During the GPCB probe, it was found that there was negligence on the part of those who had tasked Rajubhai with the cleaning of the tank. GPCB officials slapped a closure notice and a fine of Rs 50 lakh on the owner of the company.
Acting on the reports of GPCB, Palsana police had registered an offence under IPC Act sections 304(a) (Causing death by negligence), 114 (Abettor present when offence is committed) against the general manager of the company Pradip Khorad (38), Shift incharge Omprakash Sheni (55), Civil department in charge Khodabhai Patel (52). The complainant is Rajubhai’s brother Baddubhai Bodhaniya.
“There were eight such tanks which were to be cleaned. Rajubhai had on November 13 cleaned three tanks and on November 14, he entered to clean the fourth tank. The tanks were cleaned every year during the Diwali break when the factory remained shut. We have registered an offence based on the report of GPCB,” Chavda said.
In the letter sent to the chief minister and MoS Home Harsh Sanghavi, Darshan Naik mentioned that strict legal action should be taken against the owner of the company as they were also responsible for the death of four labourers.
Police have only registered an offence against three employees of the firm, but not the company owner.
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