Delhi Pool Tragedy Exposes Critical Safety Lapses as Family Mourns Six-Year-Old
What began as an ordinary summer morning for six-year-old Taksh Rathi on June 13, 2025, swiftly descended into unimaginable tragedy. The young boy had simply ventured out to join neighborhood children for a swim at the MCD Community Centre pool located in northwest Delhi's Pitampura area. The day held the promise of childhood innocence—laughter echoing through the air, water splashing playfully, and the carefree spirit of summer vacation. However, that promise was brutally shattered when Taksh drowned in the pool, later being declared dead, transforming a simple recreational outing into a permanent nightmare for his grieving family.
Family's Unending Grief and Official Inaction
Six months have elapsed since the heartbreaking incident, yet the sorrow remains as intense and raw as the initial day of loss. Police authorities registered a case of negligence under Section 106(1) for causing death by negligence at the Maurya Enclave police station. The pool owner, Arpana Tiwari, and the manager, Ajay Kumar, were bound down, and a chargesheet was subsequently filed. Despite these legal steps, the family feels these actions have provided minimal solace or accountability.
Taksh's mother, Kirti Rathi, who resides in Haiderpur, continues to struggle under the unbearable burden of losing her only child. Working at a private company to support the family, she is constantly reminded of her son's life being tragically cut short. The swimming excursion marked Taksh's very first time joining neighbors' children for such an activity. Around 10:40 AM, a devastating phone call disrupted the morning's tranquility—Taksh had been discovered unconscious in the pool. By the time family members arrived at the scene, he was already gone.
Allegations of Preventable Negligence and Safety Failures
Speaking to media outlets, Taksh's grandfather, Lakshman Bhatt, expressed how the void left by his grandson permeates every aspect of family life. "Taksh is remembered every time the family comes together. He used to dance, sing, and make us laugh. Now, whenever we think of him, tears flow freely, especially during family functions," Bhatt shared, his voice laden with profound grief.
Bhatt vehemently asserted that this tragedy could have been entirely avoided if even fundamental safety protocols had been implemented. He highlighted alarming deficiencies at the pool facility: no lifeguards were present on duty, there were no life jackets or essential safety equipment available, and no immediate emergency response system was in place. "These are the most basic requirements any swimming pool should meet, especially when children are involved," Bhatt emphasized. "It was shocking that in a pool where children were swimming, there were no proper safety arrangements. No CCTV cameras, no supervision, nothing. This was completely preventable. And yet, nothing was done."
Municipal Oversight and Legal Recourse
While a municipal official indicated that the swimming pool had been rented out to a private concessionaire, Bhatt pointed to a glaring lack of oversight by responsible authorities. Their duty, he argued, was to ensure the facility maintained adequate safety standards for children. "Even if the facility was privately run, there should have been constant monitoring to ensure rules were followed. Yet nothing meaningful was done in time to prevent this death," Bhatt lamented.
He further noted that well-established guidelines exist for operating public swimming pools, particularly those frequented by children. "There is a clear set of rules that must be enforced. The government's responsibility is to ensure these rules are followed. Had that happened, my grandson might still be alive today," he stated with palpable anguish.
In pursuit of justice and accountability, Taksh Rathi's family has now moved the Delhi High Court, seeking legal redress for the preventable loss that has irrevocably altered their lives.
