A young sanitation worker, Rahul, died after falling into a deep drain while cleaning it without safety equipment in East Delhi’s Dilshad Garden area on March 30.
The incident occurred around 2:00 PM near a drain culvert in Q-Pocket, close to Deer Park. According to reports, Rahul slipped while cleaning the drain and fell inside due to the absence of basic protective gear. He was rushed to Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead.
An FIR (No. 0186) was registered the same day at Seemapuri Police Station under Section 106(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
In the complaint, Rahul’s co-worker, Captain, alleged that the contractor, Ajit and supervisor Anwar Ahmed failed to provide any safety equipment to the workers. He also stated that the workers were being paid just ₹350 per day for the hazardous job.
Family devastated, demands compensation and job
Rahul’s death has left his family in deep grief. His nephew, Rahul Chauhan, said that the victim was the sole breadwinner.
“My uncle was the only earning member. Our elderly grandmother lives in a small 4×8-foot tarpaulin shack and was completely dependent on him,” he said.
The family has demanded justice, seeking compensation of ₹1 crore and a government job for one member.
Legal push for stronger charges
The family’s lawyer, Sachin Dhingia, said that while police have filed a negligence case, efforts are being made to include stricter legal provisions.
“We are trying to ensure that sections under the Manual Scavenging Act and the SC/ST Act are added. This will help secure better compensation and rehabilitation for the family,” he said.
He added that the matter is also being raised with the SC Commission to ensure proper action by the authorities.
Rising deaths, data mismatch raises concerns
Rahul’s death adds to a growing number of fatalities linked to sewer and septic tank cleaning. According to activists, at least 41 people have already died this year in similar incidents.
Data from the Safai Karmchari Andolan shows that 121 people died in 2025 while cleaning sewers and septic tanks, but only 46 deaths were officially recorded by the government. In 2024, 116 deaths were reported by the group, while the government acknowledged just 55.
This gap has raised serious concerns about underreporting and accountability.
Political reactions and conflicting claims
The incident has triggered political reactions in Delhi. Leaders from the Aam Aadmi Party, including MLAs Kuldeep Kumar and Veer Singh Dhingan, visited the victim’s family and expressed condolences.
AAP leaders accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party administration in Delhi of negligence, calling the incident a “murder.”
भाजपा प्रशासन की लापरवाही ने छीना एक बूढ़ी मां के जीने का सहारा..
— Aam Aadmi Party Delhi (@AAPDelhi) March 31, 2026
गौरतलब है कि दिलशाद गार्डन में PWD के एक नाले की सफाई के दौरान उपयुक्त सुरक्षा उपकरणों के अभाव में हुई थी युवा सफाईकर्मी की मौत।
AAP विधायक @KuldeepKumarAAP जी व @dhingan_e जी ने पीड़ित परिवार से मिलकर उनका दर्द… pic.twitter.com/apl7SFFDw1
While some reports suggested that Rahul died due to poisonous gas exposure, the FIR states that he slipped and drowned due to lack of safety measures.
Family awaits justice
As political blame continues, Rahul’s family remains in mourning, struggling to cope with the sudden loss of their only earning member.
For them, the focus remains on accountability and justice, as they wait for action against those responsible.
