New Delhi Special Correspondent: Arun Sharma

A Delhi court has taken a stern view in the tragic death of a 25-year-old man who allegedly fell into an open Delhi Jal Board (DJB) pit in West Delhi’s Janakpuri. The court rejected the bail plea of a sub-contractor and directed the police to file a comprehensive status report on the incident.


The victim, Kamal Dhyani, reportedly fell into an uncovered 15-foot-deep pit on the night of February 5–6 while returning home from work. The incident has sparked serious concerns over safety standards at ongoing construction sites in the capital.


Court Seeks Details on CCTV, Safety Measures


Hearing a plea filed by the victim’s family, the Judicial Magistrate directed the Investigating Officer of Janakpuri Police Station to submit a detailed report by February 13 regarding:


Availability of CCTV cameras near the accident site
Operational status and footage of those cameras
Safety measures in place at the construction site
Possible delay in reporting the incident
The court specifically questioned whether there had been negligence in implementing mandatory safety precautions.
Bail Plea of Sub-Contractor Rejected
The court dismissed the bail application of sub-contractor Rajesh Prajapati, observing that the case is still at a preliminary stage of investigation and the possibility of the accused influencing witnesses cannot be ruled out.
However, regarding Prajapati’s claim of “illegal detention,” the court directed the police to submit a detailed response along with relevant CCTV footage.


Eight-Hour Interrogation of Contractors


Delhi Police reportedly questioned two contractors—Himanshu Gupta and his brother Kavish—for nearly eight hours in connection with the case. Sources said they were asked about maintenance of the pit and adherence to safety norms. Both were later allowed to leave.


The brothers had sought anticipatory bail. The court directed that no coercive action be taken against them until February 18, subject to their cooperation with the investigation.


Family Alleges Gross Negligence
Addressing the media, the victim’s father Naresh Dhyani demanded strict action against those responsible, stating that such an incident should never recur.


According to sources, Kamal Dhyani fell into the pit around midnight. It is alleged that individuals present at the site did not immediately inform authorities. His body was recovered around 8 a.m. the next morning after a passerby alerted the police.
Two Arrested for Concealment of Information
Police have arrested sub-contractor Rajesh Prajapati and a labourer, Yogesh, on charges of allegedly concealing information about the accident and delaying emergency response.


The case has once again raised pressing questions about monitoring mechanisms and safety compliance in civic construction projects across the capital. The court’s strict stance signals that lapses in public safety will face serious legal scrutiny.