Wed May 28 14:56:13 UTC 2025: ## News Article:

**Madurai Court Seeks Explanation in Septic Tank Death Case**

**MADURAI, May 28, 2025** – The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has demanded a response from the State government and Southern Railway regarding the death of a sanitation worker who allegedly died due to negligence while cleaning a septic tank at a railway building in Rameswaram.

Justice L. Victoria Gowri is hearing a petition filed by B. Pathampriyal, a resident of Ilayangudi North in Sivaganga district. Pathampriyal is seeking compensation for the death of her husband, Balu, who belonged to a Scheduled Caste.

According to the petition, Balu and his friend Muniyaswamy were tasked with cleaning a septic tank at a newly constructed railway building on November 16, 2024. The petitioner alleges that the men were not provided with essential safety equipment. Following the incident, Pathampriyal was informed that Balu had fallen unconscious while cleaning the tank and was later pronounced dead at Rameswaram Government Hospital.

Pathampriyal claims her husband’s death was a direct result of the railway authorities’ negligence in failing to provide adequate safety measures. She is seeking compensation for her family under the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and Their Rehabilitation Act, 2013, and is also demanding action against the responsible officials.

The court has directed the State government and Southern Railway to file a counter affidavit and has scheduled the next hearing for June 3.

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