Mumbai News

Produce probe papers in manual scavenger’s death: Bombay HC to police – Times of India

MUMBAI: Bombay high court on Tuesday directed the Saki Naka police to produce the file pertaining to investigation into the incident where a man, a “manual scavenger”, choked to death after falling in a manhole in Chandivali, Andheri (east) in May 2017.
“We want to examine the papers of investigation,” said Justices Revati Mohite-Dere and Madhav Jamdar, directing “a responsible officer” to remain present with it on Wednesday. They also directed “a competent and responsible officer” from the Social Justice and Special Assistance and Revenue departments to remain present with instructions. Similarly, a “responsible officer” from BMC with the man’s file.
The bench heard a petition by Sanjana Pawar (25) seeking Rs 10 lakh compensation as per Supreme Court’s March 2014 direction to all states/union territories to pay Rs 10 lakh to families of persons who died in sewer deaths. Her husband Sachin (21) was on contract as a “cleaner and manual scavenger” with BMC since 2014. Last week, the State was told to inform when it will pay her Rs 10 lakh.
State’s advocate Neha Bhide said an inquiry will have to be conducted by the sub-divisional officer (eastern suburbs) before the amount is paid. “The petitioner is not able to give details of her husband’s employer except that he worked on contract basis,” she said. Bhide said there is a procedure under which the labour officer has to inform the SDO who will complete the inquiry in four weeks. Referring to SC’s order, Justice Jamdar said, “You (State) are supposed to identify families. It is your responsibility.”
Bhide said: “there is only her statement and no other record to show.” She said the FIR copy is not annexed to the petition and there is only a post-mortem report that refers to registration of crime. The judges then said they want to see the investigation file.
On May 11, 2017 Sachin fell while rescuing his co-worker who fell into the manhole while retrieving his mobile phone and began choking due to toxic gases inside. Passers-by pulled them out but Sachin had died.

Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/produce-probe-papers-in-manual-scavengers-death-hc-to-police/articleshow/91109212.cms