Another death in sewer in Delhi; NHRC seeks reports from Commissioner, MCD and Chairman, DJB on the non-compliance of its guidelines<br>

New Delhi, August 11th, 2011

The National Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognizance of media reports alleging that two safai karamcharis of MCD, Rampal, aged 45 years and Dharamvir, aged 40 years, were left unconscious when they entered a sewer to clean it without the safety equipment in Rohini on the 8th August, 2011. The two were taken to a nearby hospital by their fellow workers where doctors declared Rampal as brought dead. The condition of Dharamvir was stated to be stable.

The Commission considering the media reports under case no. 4233/30/0/2011 observed today on the 11th August, 2011 that the contents therein, if true, raise a serious issue of violation of human rights of the deceased because of non-observance of the safety guidelines framed by the Commission and circulated to the MCD long back.

While issuing notices to the Commissioner, MCD and Chairman, Delhi Jal Board calling for reports in the matter within four weeks, the Commission has also directed them to inform on the following points:

" Whether any action has been taken by the Department against the officials responsible for non-compliance with the safety guidelines; and
" Whether any compensation, in addition to the benefits admissible under the service rules, is proposed to be given to the next of kin of the deceased.

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