A 25-year-old man, Kamal Dhyani, died after his motorcycle fell into a pit dug by the Delhi Jal Board in Janakpuri, Delhi on Thursday night. Three Delhi Jal Board engineers – an executive engineer, an assistant engineer, and a junior engineer – have been suspended following the incident.
Family Alleges Delayed Response
Dhyani’s family has accused the Delhi Police of negligence and “gross carelessness” in responding to their search for him. According to family members, Kamal spoke to them at 11:53 pm Thursday, stating he was 15 minutes from home. When he did not arrive, they began searching and visited six police stations, but were initially told a complaint could not be filed before 11 am.
The family stated that they were informed of Kamal’s death by police when they called his phone number on Friday morning. They claim that earlier, at 1:30 am, they checked the pit location but Kamal was not there at that time.
Friend’s Account
A friend of Dhyani’s reported that police initially agreed to track his phone but did not share the location. Seven people searched for Dhyani from midnight until 7 am without success. He stated Dhyani had been in accidents twice before, prompting their concern when he became unreachable.
Official Response
Delhi Police stated they tracked Kamal Dhyani’s phone after his brother reported him missing at the Janakpuri Police Station around 2:45 am. A constable assisted the family in searching for approximately two and a half hours. Deputy Commissioner of Police, West, Sharad Bhaskar, assured that any lack of assistance provided to the family would be investigated.
Delhi urban development minister Ashish Sood expressed grief and stated that anyone from the Delhi Jal Board found responsible for overlooking safety protocols would face consequences. The Delhi Jal Board has established a committee to investigate the incident and will submit a report on the same evening.
Political Reaction
Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal described Kamal Dhyani’s death as “murder,” not an accident, and criticized the BJP-led Delhi government, alleging a pattern of negligence similar to a previous incident in Noida.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Kamal Dhyani?
Kamal Dhyani died after his motorcycle fell into a 15-foot-deep pit dug by the Delhi Jal Board in Janakpuri on Thursday night.
What is the Delhi Police investigating?
Delhi Police are investigating all stakeholders involved in the Delhi Jal Board work related to the pit, and will look into claims that the family did not receive adequate assistance during their search.
What action has the Delhi Jal Board taken?
The Delhi Jal Board has suspended three engineers – an executive engineer, an assistant engineer, and a junior engineer – and formed a committee to investigate the incident and review safety arrangements.
As investigations continue, what measures can be taken to prevent similar tragedies in the future and ensure the safety of commuters near construction sites?
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