NHRC notices to the Delhi Chief Secretary, Police Commissioner and the MTNL Chairman over the death of four persons in a sewage line in Rohini

New Delhi, 30th March, 2022

The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, India has taken suo-motu cognizance of media reports that four persons died in a sewage line in Rohini area of Delhi. Reportedly, they were trapped on 29th March, 2022 and efforts were on to pull them out safe, however, today morning only their dead bodies could be recovered. The victims included three line workers of Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) and the fourth, an auto rickshaw driver, who had gone inside the sewage line to rescue them.

The Commission has issued to notices to the Chief Secretary, Government of NCT of Delhi, Commissioner of Police, Delhi and the Chairman, MTNL calling for a detailed report in the matter within four weeks including action against the responsible officers/ officials and relief/rehabilitation provided to the NoK of the deceased persons.

Issuing the notices, the Commission has expressed concern that despite being laws, Supreme Court Judgements and its own interventions to provide safety equipment to the workers, poor people are dying while working in sewer lines, which is completely unwarranted.

According to the media reports, the workers were contractual staff of MTNL and were carrying out line work when they fell into the sewer line at Main Bawana Road. They were not wearing any protective gear.

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