Nearly 10 months after a 22-year-old man drowned in an unbarricaded stormwater drain in Gurgaon, the Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) has granted permission to the police to prosecute three of its engineers for negligence. The incident occurred on July 9, 2023, when Naresh Bhatt, a Nepali migrant working at a café, fell into an open, under-construction drain along Hamilton Court Road while walking home during heavy rainfall. The road was flooded, and no barricades or warning signs were present, making the danger invisible.
Key Officials Held Responsible
The three engineers identified as responsible are subdivisional engineer Jagdish Chandra, whose services were terminated in January 2024, and two junior engineers, Rajhans and Mohd Iqraar Hussain, who are contractual employees engaged through the Haryana Kaushal Rozgar Nigam. A case was registered under BNS sections 106 (death by negligence) and 3(5) (common intention) at DLF police station, Sector 29. GMDA's approval was required before prosecution could proceed.
Background of the Incident
On the night of July 9, 2023, intense rainfall inundated several city roads. Bhatt, who had recently moved from Nepal and lived in Sushant Lok-1, was returning from work when he fell into the drain and drowned. His body was found three days later, just a few hundred meters from his rented accommodation. His father, Ramdutt, alleged gross negligence and demanded strict action. “My son died after drowning in a drain which has been under construction for a long time. There was no signboard or any safety precautions,” he had said.
Police Findings and GMDA Response
Police investigations revealed that the drain site had not been barricaded. A senior police officer stated, “We found that the drain site had not been barricaded. A case was registered against personnel of GMDA and the contractor. Also, lapses were found on part of subdivisional engineer and junior engineer.” A senior GMDA official confirmed that the CEO approved action against the two officials, and one engineer's services were discontinued from January 1. Police have been informed. However, the two junior engineers continue to work with GMDA on a contractual basis. When asked about departmental action, a GMDA officer explained that suspension does not apply to contractual employees. “In this case, a complaint has been lodged and police will follow due process. Based on their findings and submissions, the matter may be escalated to senior authorities, including chief secretary.”
Recurring Safety Lapses on Hamilton Court Road
This death highlighted serious safety lapses on a stretch that has seen recurring incidents. On April 18, 2024, a woman professor had a narrow escape when her car slipped into an unbarricaded pit on the same road. She was trapped for nearly 25 minutes before passersby rescued her by breaking the windows. A complaint has been filed in that case, and an inquiry is underway.
Infrastructure Project Delays
The Hamilton Court Road revamp project was awarded to a contractor in February 2024 at a cost of Rs 22 crore, with a completion deadline of February 2025. The project includes road widening, stormwater drain construction, footpath development, and street lighting. However, work remains incomplete, with officials stating that about 90% has been executed so far. As the city prepares for another monsoon, the case has again drawn attention to the dangers posed by construction sites that are not barricaded, as well as the consequences of administrative delays and oversight failures.
