The Manjalpur police in Vadodara have taken serious action following a tragic incident, registering a case of culpable homicide against a private contractor. This comes after a 43-year-old man lost his life by falling into an open manhole near a water tank last month.
Details of the Tragic Incident
On the night of December 26, Vipulsinh Zala, a resident of Manjalpur, met with a fatal accident. He had gone to the area near the outdoor sports complex with his relatives for a dinner outing. After asking his family members to get out of the car, Zala went to park the vehicle at a distance.
When he did not return for a long time, his worried relatives began searching for him. Their search led them to an open manhole, where they made a horrifying discovery. Zala's shoes were seen floating in the water inside the manhole. His body was later retrieved from the spot.
FIR Registered and Responsibility Fixed
On Tuesday, acting on a complaint filed by the deceased's wife, Madhviba Zala, the police registered an FIR. The case has been filed against the promoter and employees of Eco Facilities Management Service (EFMS).
The complaint alleged that the contractor, who was aware of the danger, left the manhole open without any safety measures, leading to the accident. The Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC), which had hired EFMS on an annual contract for cleaning water tanks, squarely blamed the agency for the mishap.
A preliminary report from the VMC stated that the manhole was opened to drain water from the Manjalpur water tank but was either left open or not properly secured. The police have indicated that the investigation will also look into whether other individuals were involved in the negligence.
Political Reaction and Legal Precedent
The incident has drawn political attention. City Congress president Rutvij Joshi wrote to the police commissioner, demanding that an FIR also be registered against VMC officials. In his letter, Joshi cited a recent Gujarat High Court judgment concerning a death caused by stray cattle in Vadodara.
That judgment held the municipal corporation responsible for public safety on roads. This legal precedent adds pressure on the civic body to ensure accountability extends beyond just the contractor.
The tragic death of Vipulsinh Zala highlights a severe lapse in public safety and contractual responsibility, raising urgent questions about urban infrastructure maintenance and oversight in the city.
