New Delhi, Feb 6 (IANS) An employee of a private bank, while riding a bicycle on Thursday night, tragically fell to his death into a pit that had been dug up for a Delhi Jal Board (DJB) project and fenced with green mesh in West Delhi’s Janakpuri. In response to this incident, the Delhi government has initiated an inquiry.

The body of Kamal Dhayani, 25, a resident of Vikaspuri, and his bike were extracted from the 20-foot-deep pit on Joginder Singh Marg around 8.30 a.m. on Friday by the fire department, the police said. A case was registered under the relevant penal provisions.

The incident, which came close to a similar tragic death of techie Yuvraj Mehta in a water-filled pit in Noida, sparked a political war in the national capital city with the opposition Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) alleging negligence.

Delhi Water Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh took a serious view of the incident and ordered an inquiry.

“A serious view has been taken of the tragic accident at the Janakpuri Line Rehabilitation Project site. Delhi Jal Board has constituted a high-level Inquiry Committee to ensure a transparent investigation into the incident,” said the Minister in a statement on social media.

He said the Committee has been directed to inspect the accident site immediately; review safety arrangements, barricading, signage and traffic management; verify compliance with all safety norms; fix responsibility wherever lapses are found and recommend strict corrective and disciplinary action.

The Minister said the safety of citizens is non-negotiable. “Accountability will be enforced. Such incidents will not be allowed to repeat,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Jal Board issued a statement which said, “Preliminary inquiry has indicated that the road and the pit had been barricaded with green mesh. A committee has been formed to inquire whether all public safety measures were taken or not.”

Any DJB official or worker found guilty of laxity will face action, said the statement.

On the possible action against the guilty, Supreme Court Lawyer Prashant Trivedi said, “Action can be taken against the responsible officials. The department can be held accountable. All responsibilities can be examined, what precautions were taken, what advisories were issued before digging, how much diversion was in place, what the contractor’s responsibilities were…”

Dhayani’s brother told IANS that the incident probably took place between 11.30 p.m. and midnight.

“Last night at 11.30 p.m., we spoke to him. He said he had reached the District Centre and that it would take him 15 more minutes to reach home… After 30 minutes, we called him 10 times, but he didn’t answer the phone. Thereafter, we contacted the police,” he said.

–IANS

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