NEW DELHI: Vijay Mochi arrived in Delhi from Begusarai with his wife Ruby, carrying aspirations for a brighter future. Tragically, what awaited them was a devastating incident of alleged negligence that claimed Vijay's life and shattered his family's dreams.
A Fateful Day in Narela
On February 21 last year, Vijay Mochi, aged 35, was instructed to enter a sewer chamber near an apartment complex in Narela. He was accompanied by another worker named Nandram. Despite having no prior experience in sewer cleaning, both men descended into the chamber.
Several minutes elapsed without any communication from below. Supervisor Anil Kumar, stationed outside, repeatedly called out to them. When there was no response, he entered the chamber himself, only to be overcome by toxic fumes and lose consciousness.
In the ensuing panic, fellow workers used ropes to retrieve the unconscious men and rushed them to a hospital. Tragically, both Vijay and Nandram were declared dead upon arrival.
Family's Anguish and Return to Bihar
Nearly a year has passed since the incident. Ruby, now 30, has left Delhi and returned to Bihar, her hopes for a better tomorrow buried alongside her husband.
Prior to that fateful day, Vijay and Ruby worked as laborers at a private company's construction site, where Vijay's primary duty involved cutting iron rods. According to Vicky, his brother-in-law, Vijay was neither trained for sewer cleaning nor provided with any protective gear by the company.
The family received 14 lakh rupees as compensation. However, Vicky states they have received no updates regarding the case since then.
Remembering Vijay: A Dedicated Son and Worker
Raj Kumar Das, another relative of Vijay, recalls him as a calm, composed, and hardworking individual who regularly sent most of his earnings home to support his parents. "It was not an accident; negligence killed him," Das asserts, highlighting the family's belief that proper safety measures could have prevented the tragedy.
The Other Victim: Nandram's Unfulfilled Dreams
Nandram, the other deceased worker, hailed from Tikamgarh in Madhya Pradesh. His brother, Gyasiram, reveals that Nandram had been working in Delhi for 12 years and that both he and his wife were employed at the same site.
"All he wanted was to educate his two children," Gyasiram says, underscoring the personal aspirations cut short by the incident.
Official Response and Legal Proceedings
The Delhi Development Authority described the deaths as unfortunate and painful. An official clarified that the site was being developed by a private company, which was also responsible for maintaining a sewage treatment plant and the adjoining sewer system.
"The liability falls solely on the private company," the official stated, adding that a report has been sought and action will be taken if any discrepancy or negligence is found.
Police have registered a case under multiple sections, including:
- Sections 125A (act endangering life or personal safety of others) and 106 (causing death by negligence) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)
- Section 9 of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers Act
- The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act
The case has been filed against Anil Kumar, the supervisor, and an engineer from the company. Police confirm that "trial in the case is on," indicating ongoing legal proceedings.
This incident raises critical questions about the safety protocols for migrant workers and the enforcement of laws against manual scavenging, as families continue to seek justice a year after the tragedy.
