National Commission for Safai Karamcharis wants case under MS Act, 2013

Also seeks higher compensation for families of victims

The National Commission for Safai Karamcharis came down heavily on the police on Tuesday for not registering the deaths of the three men under the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 and more punitive sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). It criticised the police for charging the accused under the less punitive section 304A (causing death due to negligence) of the IPC.

Jagadish Hiremani, member of the Commission, visited the apartment complex in HSR Layout where three labourers died of asphyxiation on Sunday while trying to clean the STP.

“Bandepalya police may have arrested eight people, but they are booked under sections that are bailable. The police have failed to acknowledge the case as a manual scavenging death, despite there being a new law from 2013 for such cases,” he said.

The Commission has now directed the police to register case under the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013.

“I have asked BBMP officials to submit a report on the ownership of the property. If the developer still has a stake in the apartment, he needs to be booked too. I will pass written orders to this effect on Wednesday after examining the BBMP report,” Mr. Hiremani told The Hindu .

‘Compensation should be ₹10 lakh as per the law’

Bengaluru Development Minister K.J. George had on Sunday announced a compensation of ₹5 lakh each for the families of the three men. However, that has come under flak.

“Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 clearly prescribes a compensation of ₹10 lakh to the family of the deceased in case of death due to manual scavenging. I have convened a meeting with the Deputy Commissioner, Bengaluru (Urban) on Wednesday noon, by when I expect the BBMP commissioner to present the families DDs of ₹10 lakh,” he added.