Hisar Brick Kiln Tragedy: Police File Culpable Homicide Case After 14-Month Delay
In a significant development, police in the Narnaund area of Hisar district have registered a case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder, nearly 14 months after a tragic wall collapse at a brick kiln claimed the lives of four children. The incident, which occurred on December 22, 2024, at the Dhanda Brick Kiln on Budhana Road, had initially been reported as an accident due to natural causes, but a recent review has led to criminal charges.
Details of the Fatal Incident
According to police records, the tragedy unfolded around 10:30 PM on December 22, 2024, when a strong gust of wind caused the inner wall of the brick kiln to collapse. At the time, labourers, including Bhagwan Das from Badaun district in Uttar Pradesh, were extracting baked bricks from the kiln. Due to the cold weather, several children from two labourer families were sleeping on cots near the wall, and they were trapped under the debris when it gave way.
Immediate rescue efforts were launched by the labourers present, who rushed the injured to the government hospital in Narnaund via ambulance. Tragically, doctors declared three children—Suraj, Vivek, and Nandini, all offspring of Bhagwan Das—dead upon arrival. Additionally, Nisha, Gauri, and Himanshi, daughters of another labourer named Murari, along with a relative, Rajesh, were referred to Civil Hospital Hisar for further treatment. During the course of medical care, Nisha also succumbed to her injuries, bringing the total death toll to four children, while the others underwent treatment and survived.
Initial Police Response and Family Statements
In the aftermath, a GD Entry was recorded at Narnaund police station on December 24, 2024, regarding an unidentified body, which detailed the collapse as caused by the wind. Bhagwan Das, in his statement to the police, emphasized that the accident was sudden and attributed it solely to the strong wind and wall failure, asserting that no individual was at fault. He further stated that neither he nor his relatives wished to pursue legal action against anyone, leading to initial proceedings under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) for unnatural death.
Police officials noted that statements were formally recorded after the families of the labourers arrived and consultations were held with relatives and legal advisers. This initial assessment suggested the incident was a tragic accident without human culpability.
Shift to Criminal Charges
However, in a turn of events, senior police officers conducted a thorough verification and review of the case file. This re-evaluation prompted the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) under Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which pertains to culpable homicide not amounting to murder. The case was officially filed at Narnaund Police Station, marking a critical shift from viewing the tragedy as a mere accident to investigating potential negligence or responsibility.
The delay of nearly 14 months in filing the case has raised questions about the initial handling of the incident and the factors that led to the reclassification. Authorities have not disclosed specific details on what new evidence or considerations prompted this change, but it underscores a more rigorous approach to ensuring accountability in industrial safety matters.
Broader Implications and Community Impact
This case highlights ongoing concerns about safety standards in brick kilns and other informal labour sectors, particularly in regions like Hisar where such incidents are not uncommon. The loss of four young lives has deeply affected the local labour community, many of whom migrate from states like Uttar Pradesh for work. The registration of the FIR may signal a push for stricter enforcement of safety regulations and better protection for vulnerable workers and their families.
As the investigation proceeds, it will be crucial to determine whether negligence played a role in the wall collapse and if preventive measures could have averted the disaster. The outcome of this case could set a precedent for how similar incidents are handled in the future, potentially leading to improved safety protocols and legal accountability in the brick kiln industry across India.
