Out for a walk, Delhi man falls to death in open drain

Victim a Mayur Vihar resident; kin blame civic agency for negligence, say hospital denied treatment

NEW DELHI, 24/07/2017: Children look at the spot where in an unfortunate incident, a man died after falling into a pit in New Delhi's Mayur Vihar Phase 3 area. The locals are alleging that the victim was taken to the hospital while he died as there were no doctors in the hospital. The outraged locals have registered a complaint demanding CCTV footage of the incident and also to close the hospital. Photo: V. Sudershan

A 55-year-old businessman, who was out for a walk, died after he fell into an uncovered drain outside a park in east Delhi’s Mayur Vihar on Sunday.

The accident was reported around 4 p.m. when Anil Kumar Gupta was leaving the DDA park after completing his routine daily walk. His nephew Deepak told The Hindu that he was at Mr. Gupta’s shop when he was informed about the fall.

Breathing when pulled out

“A fruit vendor told me that he had heard my uncle scream for help. He was breathing when some passersby managed to pull him out. We rushed him to a private hospital nearby, which denied him treatment. We then took him to another hospital in Noida where he was declared brought dead,” said Deepak.

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Though the victim is believed to have drowned, a post-mortem examination was conducted on Monday.

His family and neighbours, however, have blamed the Public Works Department (PWD) for failing to cover the drain that flows under a pavement next to the park.

Mr. Gupta’s wife, Manju, seconded her nephew’s allegations about the hospital refusing treatment. She and Lakshmi, the sister of the deceased, blamed the civic authorities for the death while demanding punishment for those involved.

 

According to Lakshmi, Mr. Gupta had left home on his two-wheeler, which he parked outside. He was on his way out from the park when he lost his footing and fell into the drain. Those around the park said accumulated water near the exit had made the surface slippery.

Conspiracy not ruled out

The police, meanwhile, said that while there were no specific allegations about the incident being a homicide, the probe is still on in the case. So far, only inquest proceedings have been initiated.

“If the post-mortem exam establishes injuries prior to death, we may investigate it as a murder or death by negligence,” said a senior police officer.

 

The police, however, have not ruled out a conspiracy yet.

Mr. Gupta, who lived in a DDA flat near the spot, dealt in car accessories and had recently ventured into the garments business. He is survived by his wife and two sons who live in London and Germany.