Tragic Death of Delhi Call Centre Worker Sparks Outrage Over Civic Negligence
A 25-year-old man employed at a private bank's call centre lost his life in the early hours of Friday after his motorcycle plunged into a 14-foot-deep open construction pit in west Delhi's Janakpuri area. The victim, identified as Kamal Dhyani, was returning home from his workplace when the fatal accident occurred.
Second Similar Incident in Days Highlights Systemic Failure
This tragic incident comes just a few days after the death of a Noida-based technology professional under similar circumstances, sparking massive public outrage over civic negligence and inadequate safety measures at construction sites across the National Capital Region. Delhi Police have registered a First Information Report for culpable homicide against the project contractor and officials of the Delhi Jal Board.
Though Dhyani presumably fell into the pit around midnight, he was only discovered approximately eight hours later when a passer-by alerted the police control room around 8 am. Officers responding to the call found Dhyani and his motorcycle inside the uncovered pit located on Joginder Singh Marg.
FIR Details Multiple Safety Violations
The FIR accessed by media outlets clearly states that based on the on-site inspection, the incident appears to have occurred due to the Delhi Jal Board and its contractors failing to cover the excavation, along with not implementing adequate safety measures such as warning signs, reflectors, or proper lighting around the hazardous area.
Dhyani was still wearing his helmet when rescue personnel found him inside the pit. The initial medical report, as documented in the FIR, indicates a grazed abrasion over the upper abdomen, which may have caused internal injuries and bleeding leading to his death.
Family Alleges Foul Play and Police Inaction
The victim's family has alleged foul play and claimed they did not receive effective police support when they began searching for him after he stopped answering his phone. According to the FIR, the inspection clearly indicated that Delhi Jal Board and its contractors were fully aware that leaving open pits on public roads without safety measures could lead to someone falling and potentially dying. Despite this knowledge, they failed to take adequate safety precautions and did not deploy any security guard at the site.
The Desperate Search Through the Night
According to police statements, Dhyani's family and friends initiated their search after he stopped responding to calls while returning from work. "I'll be there in 10 minutes, at the District Centre," was the last communication Kamal had with his twin brother Karan around 11:50 pm on Thursday. His friend Mayank, who had also called Kamal that night, received the same reassurance.
When Dhyani stopped answering calls shortly after, concern quickly escalated. Over the next 30 minutes, family and friends attempted to contact him more than ten times without success.
Karan and friends began retracing his movements, first visiting Dhyani's office in Rohini Sector 33, where they contacted his bank manager. The manager revealed that he and Dhyani had left together around 11 pm, with the manager driving his car toward his Paschim Vihar home while following Dhyani's motorcycle, which was headed toward Palam. After crossing the Peeragarhi flyover, they separated at the next flyover. "I went below it, he went above. He even waved goodbye," the manager recounted.
Police Response Questioned During Search
As calls to Dhyani's phone continued to go unanswered, the search expanded. Roads near the office were checked again, and visits to Vikaspuri police station provided no clarity. The search party then converged at the District Centre, Dhyani's last known location, while others scanned areas including Mangolpuri, Paschim Vihar, and Sagarpur.
"When we went to the Janakpuri police station to file a complaint, they said it could only be registered after 24 hours," Mayank explained. "We requested if they could trace his phone while it was still ringing. They found the location and sent it to us, but then deleted it. When we went back, they said they couldn't give us the location again as it is confidential. Then they shared that Kamal's location was within a 200-metre radius."
Throughout the night, Karan, friends, and the manager walked the stretch with flashlights, checking open pits, roadside gaps, and even a nearby park, peering into bushes and corners. There was no sign of him. "In the morning, I dialled Kamal's number again. This time police answered, informing that his body had been found inside a pit," Karan stated.
Growing Pattern of Negligence Demands Accountability
This incident represents yet another tragic example of how inadequate safety measures at construction sites continue to claim innocent lives in urban areas. The failure to implement basic precautions like covering excavations, installing warning signs, and providing proper lighting has created hazardous conditions on public roads that endanger citizens daily.
The Delhi Jal Board and its contractors now face serious legal consequences for their alleged negligence, with the FIR specifically noting their awareness of the potential dangers posed by uncovered pits. This case highlights the urgent need for stricter enforcement of safety regulations at construction sites and greater accountability for officials and contractors responsible for public safety.
