Severe lapse in safety during contracted sewer cleaning, police say
A worker died and another remained in a critical condition after allegedly inhaling toxic gases while cleaning a manhole and sewer line in Faridabad, police said on Tuesday. The deceased has been identified as Mohammad Aslam (35); the injured man is named Bunty Kumar (30). Both lived at Ashiana Flats in Sector 56, police added.
The incident occurred between noon and 12.20pm on Monday in front of plot number 132 in Sector 25, where an automobile spare-parts manufacturing unit is located. According to investigators, the firm had hired three workers to clean the manhole and sewer line three days earlier.
Sequence of events and rescue efforts
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| Noon–12.20pm (Monday) | Aslam entered manhole and collapsed; Bunty attempted rescue and also lost consciousness |
| Shortly after | Third colleague raised alarm; factory guards and workers pulled Bunty out and police/fire brigade called |
| Within the hour | Exhaust fans were installed and trained personnel entered wearing safety gear to recover Aslam |
| After recovery | Aslam pronounced dead on arrival at Badshah Khan Civil Hospital; Bunty taken to hospital in Faridabad and reported in serious but stable condition |
Police said the three workers had limited experience in cleaning sewer lines and were not provided any safety equipment. Aslam entered the manhole first and, while working deeper inside the pipe, reportedly collapsed because of a suspected build-up of toxic gases. Bunty tied a rope around himself and entered to rescue Aslam but also became disoriented and fainted, police said.
"They installed exhaust fans to push out toxic gases and entered inside the manhole wearing safety equipment and pulled Aslam out,"
The quotation above was attributed to Yashpal Yadav, public relations officer of Faridabad police, who outlined the rescue actions taken by a nearby patrol team and the fire department after the alarm was raised.
Medical treatment and FIR
Factory guards and workers pulled Bunty out and he was initially taken to Badshah Khan Civil Hospital. Doctors there referred him to a Delhi hospital because of the seriousness of his condition, but his family chose to admit him to a private hospital in Faridabad; police said his condition was serious but stable.
Aslam was taken to the civil hospital after recovery from the manhole but was declared dead on arrival. After Aslams sister lodged a complaint, police registered a first information report against the factory owner under Section 106 (causing death by negligence) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at Sector-58 police station late on Monday, the statement said.
Owner reportedly fled; investigation ongoing
Police said the factory owner fled after learning of Aslam's death. Officers found the owners residence locked and were unable to trace his family at the time of reporting. The matter is under investigation and further legal steps will follow as enquiries proceed, the police added.
- Victim: Mohammad Aslam, 35, resident of Ashiana Flats, Sector 56 (deceased)
- Injured: Bunty Kumar, 30, resident of Ashiana Flats, Sector 56 (serious but stable)
- Location: in front of plot no. 132, Sector 25, Faridabad
- Allegation: workers lacked expertise and were not provided safety equipment; FIR registered under Section 106 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita
Officials did not provide further details on the composition of the gases suspected to have caused the collapse, nor a timeline for the completion of the police inquiry. The case highlights the risks associated with confined-space work and the stated absence of protective gear for contracted labourers.
Police said they would provide further updates as the probe continues.
