Delhi Police has arrested a subcontractor named Rajesh Kumar Prajapati in connection with the tragic death of 25-year-old Kamal Dhyani. The victim, who worked as a banking assistant manager, died after falling into an open pit dug by the Delhi Jal Board in Janakpuri. Police investigation revealed that the accused was aware of the accident shortly after it happened but chose not to inform the authorities or call for an ambulance.
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Why was the subcontractor arrested?
The police investigation uncovered shocking details about the night of the incident. A laborer named Yogesh, who was present at the site, called Rajesh Kumar Prajapati at 12:22 AM to inform him that a motorcyclist had fallen into the pit. Call records show that Prajapati reached the location within 20 minutes.
Instead of helping the victim, the subcontractor allegedly participated in a conference call with the main contractor, Himanshu Gupta, who is currently absconding. Despite knowing that Kamal Dhyani was trapped in the 15-to-20-foot deep pit, they reportedly decided not to alert emergency services. The body was eventually discovered around 8:00 AM the next morning after a PCR call was made by locals.
What action has the government taken?
Following the incident, the Delhi Government has announced an ex-gratia payment of ₹10 lakh for the victim’s family. Three engineers from the Delhi Jal Board were suspended on Friday night for negligence. An FIR has been registered under Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has also issued a strict 8-point safety framework for all excavation sites in the city. The new rules include:
- Clear warning signage placed well before the site approaches.
- Mandatory use of reflector lights, blinkers, and luminous tapes for night visibility.
- Strong and continuous barricading around the entire dug-up area.
- A time-bound audit of all ongoing sites with a report to be submitted within three days.
