Sanitation workers death: Authority seeks cops' report

Following the death of four workers due to toxic fumes while cleaning a septic tank in south Delhi's Ghitorni area last week, the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK) has sought a report from the Delhi Police and the municipal body regarding the incident.

NCSK Chairman Manhar Valjibhai Zala visited the mishap spot on Monday and also met the families of the deceased. He, then, held a meeting with the Delhi Police and South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) officials, and sought a report from them.

Zala said that the police have registered a case under various sections of the Indian Penal Code but the Commission has advised them to register the case under the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, as offences under this Act were cognizable and non-bailable.

He added that the kin of the deceased were entitled to a compensation of Rs 10 lakh, as ordered by the Supreme Court in its judgement dated March, 2014.

Four workers, identified as Swarn Singh, 45, Dipu, 28, Anil, 23, and Balwinder, 32, had died of asphyxiation on July 15.