The death of a contract gardener at Delhi University’s South Campus after an electric shock has triggered protests by students and the victim’s family, who have alleged that he was made to perform electrical work despite being employed as a gardener.
Ranjit Kumar Gautam, 33 or 34, was working as a private contract gardener at the university when he suffered the fatal electric shock on Monday, September 7.
Police Say Gardener Was Pruning Trees
According to Delhi Police, a PCR call was received at South Campus police station around 5:30 pm following the incident.
Police said Gautam came into contact with an electrical source while pruning trees on the university premises. He was taken to Safdarjung Hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.
An MLC was prepared and police registered FIR No. 153/26 at South Campus police station under Sections 287 and 106(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, relating to negligent conduct involving machinery or electrical apparatus and death caused by negligence.
Police said further investigation is underway to determine the circumstances of the incident and whether any safety violations took place.
Students Allege He Was Made to Do Electrical Work
Students, however, have disputed the initial account and alleged that Gautam had been made to carry out electrical work despite being employed as a gardener.
Aman Kumar, a PhD candidate and member of Parivartankami Chhatra Sangthan, claimed Gautam had worked as a contract gardener for about a year.
“He was hired as a gardener but was made to work as an electrician,” Kumar alleged.
Students also questioned the description of the incident in the FIR and claimed Gautam had been performing electrical work when he was electrocuted. They said the presence of a tester in his pocket raised further questions about the circumstances of his death.
These allegations have not been independently confirmed by the police.
Family Demands Compensation and Job for Wife
Following Gautam’s death, his family and students protested outside the South Campus director’s office and demanded accountability from the university.
The family has sought a high level inquiry and action under Section 105 of the BNS if officials are found responsible for the death.
Since Gautam was allegedly the sole breadwinner of his family, his relatives have demanded compensation of Rs 1 crore, a permanent job for his pregnant wife Komal at the university and financial support for her and their unborn child until she is employed.
Students have also demanded job security for Gautam’s wife and institutional accountability over the treatment of contract workers.
The protesters initially withdrew their demonstration after university officials gave written assurances that their demands would be considered. However, students later questioned whether the assurances amounted to concrete commitments.
A delegation of students and Gautam’s family subsequently met university officials on Tuesday and submitted a fresh set of demands.
Student activists have warned that they will intensify the protest if the administration delays action.
