A 24-year-old technician with a pest control company was discharged from Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital on Thursday after battling for his life for nine days.
Anuj, a resident of east Delhi’s Karawal Nagar, was allegedly exposed to toxic fumes on June 12 while carrying out pest control work at eateries in Chandni Chowk and Connaught Place.
The family alleged that he was not given any safety gear such as gloves and mask from his company, International Standard Pest Control (ISPC). The regional manager of the company refused to comment on the matter when approached.
The police have registered a case under Sections 284 (negligent conduct with respect to poisonous substance) and 337 (causing hurt by act endangering life) of the IPC. No arrests have been made yet. Anuj was on a ventilator for six days, his family claimed, adding that he will take a year to fully recover.A hotel management graduate, Anuj had joined ISPC on June 9, three days before the incident.
On June 12, he was told that he would have to work on the night shift. He was deployed to carry out pest control work at Haldiram’s outlets in Chandni Chowk and then Connaught Place. Haldiram’s has given a contract to the company for the work.
A senior manager at Haldiram’s (CP) confirmed the incident but said he was not authorised to comment on the matter.
Efforts made to contact the Corporate Communications Department of Haldiram’s were unsuccessful.
“At the Chandni Chowk outlet, Anuj told his supervisor, who was with him, that he does not know how to mix the chemicals. But the supervisor asked him to continue. During the process, the chemical spilt on his shirt,” said Pintu Kumar, Anuj’s brother.
Informed supervisor
Mr. Kumar said that Anuj informed the supervisor about the spill but was told that “nothing would happen, it is okay”. Next, the two went to Haldiram’s in Connaught Place. Anuj allegedly got exposed to the chemical as soon as he started using the pest control machine.
“The machine is pressurised. As soon as he started it, the fumes hit his face. He was not provided with any mask or gloves,” said Mr. Kumar, citing information given to him by his brother.
After being exposed to the fumes, Anuj started feeling uneasy and informed his supervisor who allegedly told him that “it was okay” and that “he would feel better”.
“But his condition worsened around 1.30 a.m. and he found it tough to breathe. He told his manager to take him to a hospital, but the person gave Anuj ₹200, called an autorickshaw and asked him to go home,” said Mr. Kumar. He alleged that the supervisor made Anuj wear a mask when he was leaving and clicked a picture to be shown later as proof.
The autorickshaw driver, however, dropped Anuj at Kashmere Gate. Anuj then had to call his friend Ajit to come and pick him up. “I reached the place within 30 minutes and found Anuj vomiting. He had trouble breathing. I immediately took him to G.T.B. Hospital,” said Ajit.
The police was informed and after a preliminary enquiry a case was registered.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Madhur Verma said that the case is being investigated but Haldiram’s role will not be probed as it is not a party to the incident. A police officer privy to the case said that statements from the parties concerned are being recorded and action will be taken accordingly.
Anuj’s family said that they are relived that he is back home and blamed the pest control company.
“The company is completely at fault. They should have provided him with safety gear. I almost lost my brother as the doctors had given up when he was on the ventilator. Even now, he is having trouble breathing and will take a year to recover,” his brother said.
