A construction supervisor in Pune has been arrested by the police in connection with the tragic death of a young migrant worker, who fell from a high-rise building under construction in Punawale. The arrest came after investigations revealed a shocking lack of basic safety measures at the site.
Details of the Tragic Incident
The fatal accident occurred on December 7, when 18-year-old Azharuddin Ansari, a resident of Maharajganj district in Uttar Pradesh, was working on the 15th floor of a building. According to the Ravet police, Ansari lost his balance and fell into a duct, plummeting to the first floor. He sustained severe head injuries and was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
Initially, the police registered a case of accidental death. The complaint was formally lodged by the victim's elder brother, Allauddin Ansari (20). The brothers were engaged in sliding window installation work at the construction site in Punawale.
Investigation Reveals Criminal Negligence
What began as an investigation into an accidental death quickly uncovered alleged criminal negligence. Police officers discovered that the 35-year-old site supervisor had failed to provide any safety gear to the young worker. Furthermore, there was no safety net installed at the spot from where Azharuddin Ansari fell, a basic precaution on high-rise construction sites.
Based on these findings, the police took decisive action. On Saturday, a fortnight after the incident, they arrested the supervisor. He has been charged under Section 106 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for causing death by negligence.
Ongoing Probe and Broader Implications
An officer from Ravet police station confirmed the arrest, stating, "We arrested the 35-year-old labour supervisor on Saturday. Our investigations are continuing." This case highlights the persistent and grave issue of safety violations on construction sites across India, particularly affecting vulnerable migrant labourers.
The arrest under the newly implemented Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita also signals a potentially stricter legal approach towards enforcing workplace safety standards and holding supervisors accountable for fatal lapses.
