Delhi: Two die while cleaning septic tank; four arrested
Four persons have been arrested in connection with an incident where two men died after inhaling toxic gases while cleaning a septic tank of a banquet hall in east Delhi's Ghazipur, police said on Saturday. "Housekeeping staff, Rahul, Aamir Khan, the general manager, and two banquet hall directors - Johit alias Jimmy Arora and Girish Mahendru - were arrested on Friday night," they added.
Deceased were not given any protective gear
"Lokesh (35) and Prem Chand (40), residents of Trilokpuri, entered the tank to clean it on Thursday evening and were subsequently found dead inside," the police said, adding that the deceased were not given any protective gear and were offered Rs. 3,000 for the work.
Both were found dead a few hours later
"Housekeeping staff of the banquet hall called the two men for cleaning the tank at 7:30 pm and around 10 pm, they were found dead," Deputy Commissioner of Police (East) Deepak Yadav said. Teams from the Fire Department, Delhi Disaster Management Authority, and MCD visited the spot, he said, adding that the men were taken to a hospital, where they were declared brought dead.
They were forced to clean the septic tank: Family members
The family members of the deceased alleged that the men, who had gone to the banquet hall for catering-related work, were forced to clean the septic tank and not given any protective gear.
Case has been registered against the accused
"A case under Section 304 A (causing death by negligence) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Section 9 of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act has been registered," the DCP said. "Sections of the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act have also been invoked against the accused," he added.
340 people died in last five years while cleaning sewers
According to a Times of India report, around 340 people lost their lives while cleaning septic tanks and sewers in the last five years as per the cases reported by the states and Union Territories till December 1, 2020. Maximum cases have been reported from Uttar Pradesh (52) followed by Tamil Nadu (43), Delhi (36), Maharashtra (34), and 31 each in Gujarat.
