The Delhi High Court has directed the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) to pay Rs 30 lakh in compensation to the family of a man who died after falling into a pit dug by the water utility. The incident occurred in 2016 when the victim, identified as 35-year-old Rajesh Kumar, fell into an uncovered pit on a road in the national capital.
Details of the incident
According to court documents, the pit was dug by the DJB as part of repair work but was left uncovered and without any warning signs or barricades. Rajesh Kumar, a resident of south Delhi, fell into the pit on the night of 15 July 2016. He was found lying unconscious in the pit the next morning and was rushed to a hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries a few days later.
The victim's wife, Sunita Devi, filed a petition seeking compensation, arguing that the death was caused by the negligence of the DJB in failing to secure the excavation site.
Court's ruling
A division bench of Justice S. Muralidhar and Justice Talwant Singh held that the DJB was liable for the death due to its failure to take adequate safety measures. The court noted that leaving an open pit on a public road without any warning or protection was a clear case of negligence. “The Delhi Jal Board is directed to pay Rs 30 lakh as compensation to the petitioner, being the widow of the deceased, within four weeks,” the bench ordered.
The court also directed the DJB to recover the amount from the officers responsible for the negligence.
Impact and significance
The ruling underscores the responsibility of public utilities to ensure safety during maintenance work. According to the petitioner’s lawyer, the compensation will provide some relief to the family, which lost its sole breadwinner. The DJB has been asked to submit a compliance report within six weeks.
