Non-Bailable Warrants Issued Against Contractors in Janakpuri Biker Death Case
In a significant development following the tragic death of a 25-year-old biker in West Delhi's Janakpuri, senior police officers confirmed on Monday that non-bailable warrants (NBWs) have been issued against two contractors. The incident, which occurred when the victim fell into an uncovered 15-foot-deep pit dug by the Delhi Jal Board (DJB), has sparked outrage over alleged safety negligence.
Contractors Identified and Arrests Made
The contractors facing NBWs have been identified as Himanshu Gupta and his brother Kavish Gupta. Additionally, the judicial custody of sub-contractor Rajesh Prajapati, who was the first arrested in the case, has been extended. Police also reported that Yogesh, a labourer employed by Prajapati, was arrested on Sunday and remanded in judicial custody. Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) Darade Sharad Bhaskar stated, "The police custody of accused Rajesh Kumar Prajapati has been extended by one day. Accused Yogesh has also been remanded in judicial custody."
Details of the Tragic Incident
The deceased, Kamal Dhyani, a resident of Kailashpuri who worked at a private bank, was returning home when he fell into the pit on the intervening night of Thursday and Friday. According to police, after noticing the victim inside the pit, Yogesh allegedly placed green sheets around it to create an illusion of safety precautions. Yogesh spotted Dhyani and his motorcycle after being alerted by a security guard but failed to inform the police or call for emergency assistance. Instead, he contacted Prajapati around 12.22 am, who arrived at the spot within 15 to 20 minutes. The police were only informed around 8 am the next morning, by which time Dhyani had died. The post-mortem report cited "asphyxiation" caused by suffocation from loose soil closing his mouth and nostrils as the cause of death.
Family's Search and FIR Allegations
Dhyani's family searched for him throughout the night in hospitals, police stations, and nearby areas, but he was only traced to the accident site hours later through mobile phone location data. The FIR registered in the case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for culpable homicide highlighted severe safety lapses. It stated that there were no proper safety arrangements, guards, warning signs, or reflectors around the pit. A preliminary inquiry indicated that DJB officials and the contractor were aware of the risk of someone falling into the pit, which was dug in the middle of the road, yet took no preventive action. This case underscores critical issues in urban infrastructure safety and accountability in public projects.
