New Delhi | RBN News
The investigation into the fatal Janakpuri road accident has gathered pace, with Delhi Police detaining a labourer from Uttar Pradesh and securing police custody of a sub-contractor linked to the site where a motorcyclist lost his life after falling into an open trench.
Police have detained 23-year-old labourer Yogesh from Firozabad, Uttar Pradesh, stating that he was allegedly present at the spot when the victim, Kamal Dhyani, fell into the pit in west Delhi’s Janakpuri area. Meanwhile, a duty magistrate has sent sub-contractor Rajesh Prajapati to one day of police custody for further questioning.
Focus of the Investigation
Investigators are examining whether safety protocols were violated and whether timely assistance could have saved the victim’s life. Police said both the labourer and the sub-contractor are being questioned to reconstruct the sequence of events on the night of the accident.
Preliminary findings suggest that no rescue operation was initiated for nearly eight hours after Kamal fell into the trench. The incident reportedly came to official attention only around 8 a.m., when a woman passerby alerted emergency services.
Victim’s Last Call
Kamal Dhyani, who worked at a private bank’s call centre, was returning home on the night of February 5. His brother Karan told police that Kamal had called him shortly before the incident, saying he would be home in about 10 minutes. When he failed to arrive, the family grew anxious, only to later learn about the fatal accident.
Family Alleges Negligence
The victim’s family has accused the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) of gross negligence and has also raised suspicions about the circumstances surrounding Kamal’s death, questioning why no immediate help was provided despite people allegedly being present nearby.
DJB’s Preliminary Findings
In its preliminary report, the Delhi Jal Board has acknowledged lapses at the worksite, recommending action against the contractor and officials concerned. The report states that although the road was barricaded from both sides, adequate barricading was not installed on all sides of the excavation, allowing access to the hazardous area.
According to the report, Kamal is believed to have entered the blocked service road from the wrong direction in an attempt to reach home quickly. The DJB has reiterated that iron barricading on all sides of an excavation site is mandatory to prevent such accidents.
Probe Ongoing
Police officials said the investigation will also focus on whether people present at the site failed to intervene or alert authorities in time. Further legal action will be determined based on the outcome of custodial questioning and forensic analysis.
The case has intensified scrutiny of roadwork safety and accountability in the capital, particularly during night-time infrastructure projects.
