Delhi University announces Rs8 lakh and job for widow of radiation victim

Shocked over the death of a person due to exposure to radioactive material it sold as scrap, Delhi University tonight announced a compensation of Rs eight lakh to the family of the deceased and a job for the widow.

"The Delhi University accepts moral responsibility for the tragic occurrence of exposure to radiation leading to severe harm to six individuals, one of whom has succumbed to the exposure," DU registrar AK Sinha said in a release.

Rajender, 35, a worker at a shop in Mayapuri scrap market, had died due to multiple organ failure this week at AIIMS after being exposed to radiation.

Though financial compensation cannot alleviate the pain and suffering of the affected persons, the university has decided to extend relief by way of financial help, he said.

A sum of Rs two lakh would be given to the family of each of the five persons who are undergoing treatment from exposure to radiation, the registrar said.

It is understood that a team from Atomic Energy Regulatory Board has arrived here to conduct a full-fledged inquiry into the incident.

The chemistry department of the university had sold the radioactive material as scrap. This led to exposure of the scrap shop workers to these materials.