Delhi Biker's Tragic Death in Unmarked Sewer Pit Sparks Public Outcry
A 25-year-old motorcyclist's death after plunging into a deep, unmarked excavation pit in Delhi has triggered widespread allegations of gross negligence and mismanagement by authorities. The victim, Kamal Dhyani, was discovered at the bottom of the pit in the capital's Janakpuri area last week, with photographs circulating on social media showing his body lying in mud beside his Apache RTR 200 bike.
Family's Desperate Search Ends in Tragedy
Dhyani, who worked as an assistant manager and telecaller at a local HDFC bank branch, had spoken to his twin brother shortly before midnight on Thursday, assuring him he would be home within ten minutes. When repeated calls to his phone went unanswered and it was eventually switched off, relatives launched a frantic overnight search, visiting multiple police stations across Delhi.
"We called Kamal at least ten times, but all calls went unanswered," his childhood friend Mayank told NDTV. Another friend, Altaf Alam, revealed the heartbreaking context: "It was his parents' wedding anniversary. He had taken Friday off to celebrate. At home, his parents were awake with a cake, waiting to mark their anniversary together once he returned."
Contractor and Labourer Accused of Concealing Incident
Police investigations revealed that subcontractor Rajesh Prajapati and labourer Yogesh Kumar saw Dhyani lying in the pit during the night but failed to inform authorities. According to Deputy Commissioner of Police Darade Sharad Bhaskar, a passerby first noticed the accident and informed a watchman, who contacted Prajapati. The subcontractor allegedly reached the site, saw the body, and returned home without reporting it.
Yogesh Kumar was accused of misleading Dhyani's family when they arrived at the spot searching for him. "Yogesh was present at the time of the accident and was among the first to become aware that a biker had fallen into the pit. When the victim's family reached the spot later that night, Yogesh misled them by claiming he had no knowledge," Bhaskar stated.
Official Response and Contradictory Accounts
The Delhi Jal Board (DJB), responsible for the sewer rehabilitation work, initially claimed safety measures were in place. "Preliminary findings indicate that the road where work was underway had been closed using barricades and green mesh," the board stated. However, nearby residents disputed this account, alleging poor lighting and inadequate warning signs, with some claiming the green mesh was only installed after the body was discovered.
A subsequent two-member committee inquiry contradicted the initial findings, stating the barricading was "inadequate and improperly maintained" and that required iron barricades were missing. The inquiry fixed responsibility on the contractor and supervising engineers, leading to the suspension of three DJB engineers.
Political Fallout and Demands for Justice
The incident has fuelled significant political outrage, coming weeks after a similar tragedy in neighbouring Noida where a 27-year-old software engineer died after his car plunged into a water-filled pit. Opposition politicians have criticised the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, which governs both Delhi and Uttar Pradesh.
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal described Dhyani's death as "murder" in social media posts, accusing the government of negligence and lack of accountability. Former AAP MLA Saurabh Bharadwaj wrote: "Shocking!!! An innocent biker fell into a deep pothole on the road, got stuck, lay there all night, and died. The BJP government in Delhi has learned nothing from the Noida incident."
Government Action and Compensation
Delhi's Urban Development Minister Ashish Sood, who represents Janakpuri, ordered an investigation and met the victim's family, promising "all possible assistance and justice." Water Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh directed DJB engineers to inspect all ongoing construction sites and rectify shortcomings. Officials indicated an ex gratia payment of Rs 10 lakh would likely be given to the family.
The case has highlighted systemic failures in public safety protocols, with the inquiry committee recommending disciplinary action, daily safety monitoring reports, surprise inspections, and photographic records at all construction sites to prevent similar tragedies.
