Delhi Police Arrest Sub-Contractor Over Fatal Janakpuri Pit Accident
In a tragic incident highlighting severe negligence in urban infrastructure work, Delhi Police on Saturday arrested sub-contractor Rajesh Prajapati. The arrest is connected to the death of a 25-year-old man whose motorcycle plunged into a deep, uncovered pit allegedly excavated by the Delhi Jal Board during road maintenance in West Delhi's Janakpuri locality.
Details of the Fatal Incident and Arrest
According to police reports and news agency ANI, the sub-contractor was informed of the accident late at night but failed to take any action to assist the motorcyclist. The investigation uncovered that a family passing by witnessed the mishap and alerted a security guard stationed at the site. Rajesh Prajapati was subsequently notified at 12:22 AM. Despite arriving at the scene, he did not inspect the hazardous pit, police stated.
The accident occurred near B3B Block in Janakpuri, adjacent to Andhra School on Professor Jogender Singh Marg. The First Information Report (FIR) explicitly noted the absence of critical safety protocols: no warning signs, reflectors, barricades, or adequate lighting arrangements were present, and no security personnel had been properly deployed. The FIR emphasizes that the pit was left exposed in the middle of a public thoroughfare without any precautionary measures.
Police Investigation and Medical Findings
Upon reaching the location, law enforcement officials discovered an unidentified man along with his motorcycle lying inside a substantial excavation. The pit measured approximately 20 feet in length, 13 feet in width, and around 14 feet in depth. It had been dug directly in the center of the road as part of ongoing municipal work.
The injured individual was extracted from the pit with assistance from the fire brigade and transported to Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital via a PCR vehicle. Tragically, the hospital later informed police that "the patient brought by PCR has been declared brought dead."
Quoting the medical report, the FIR details: "Patient was brought to the Emergency Room in an unconscious and unresponsive state with an alleged history of being found roadside near Joginder Singh Marg at around 08:00 AM. Injury details include a grazed abrasion over the epigastric region, and the patient was brought in dead."
Broader Implications for Urban Safety and Accountability
This incident raises serious concerns about contractor accountability and public safety standards in Delhi's infrastructure projects. The lack of basic safety measures at an active work site represents a clear violation of established protocols, potentially endangering countless citizens.
Key points from the case include:
- The sub-contractor's alleged failure to respond appropriately after being informed of the accident.
- The complete absence of mandated safety equipment like barricades and warning signs at the excavation site.
- The significant dimensions of the uncovered pit, highlighting the extreme hazard it posed to public safety.
- The delayed medical response, with the victim being discovered hours after the initial incident.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fatal accident, with potential further actions against other responsible parties. This case underscores the urgent need for stricter enforcement of safety regulations on construction and maintenance sites across the national capital to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
