New Delhi: The Delhi government on Monday ordered a probe into the death of five people due to asphyxiation after they entered a sewage treatment plant in west Delhi’s Moti Nagar area, an official said.
Labour minister Gopal Rai directed the labour commissioner to submit a probe report within three days for ascertaining the further course of action.
The five people who died in Moti Nagar were identified as Sarfaraz, Pankaj, Raja, Umesh and Vishal.
“A tragic incident of death of five workers has taken place while cleaning sewer tank in DLF Green Apartments in Moti Nagar, Delhi.
“Minister of Labour has desired that a fact-finding inquiry is required to be conducted in the incident, so as to decide further course of action against defaulting agencies/firms by the government,” Rai’s secretary Vivek Kumar Tripathi said in a written communication to the commissioner.
The incident took place at 3:30 pm on Sunday. The victims were rushed to a hospital, where they were declared brought dead, a senior police officer said.
Police said a case has been registered, adding they are probing whose negligence had led to the incident.
NHRC seeks report from Delhi government
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Monday asked the Delhi chief secretary and the police commissioner to submit a detailed report on the death of the five sewage cleaners.
The NHRC said the right to life of five innocent persons has been violated “due to negligence by the authorities and the contractor concerned.”
“The commission has issued notices to Delhi’s chief secretary and police commissioner calling for a detailed report in the matter,” it said in a statement.
“We would also like to know about the action taken against the authorities responsible in the matter along with measures taken for relief and rehabilitation of the kin of the deceased persons,” it said.
The commission it had taken suo-motu cognisance of a similar incident in 2000 and after discussions with various departments finalised guidelines and safety code for operation and maintenance of sewerage systems for compliance by authorities. It said it has been emphasising to the authorities that they should provide safety gear to workers to avoid such fatal accidents.