Wed Sep 17 19:56:40 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

A 40-year-old man died and three others were hospitalized in critical condition after falling unconscious while manually cleaning a sewer in Delhi’s Ashok Vihar Phase II. The incident occurred on Tuesday near Harihar Apartments. Police are investigating the construction company that employed the men and have registered a case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013.

**News Article:**

**Tragedy in Delhi: Sewer Cleaning Claims Life, Leaves Three Critical**

**New Delhi, September 18, 2025** – A man died and three others are fighting for their lives after a harrowing incident of manual sewer cleaning in Delhi’s Ashok Vihar Phase II. The incident, reported late Tuesday night near Harihar Apartments, has sparked outrage and renewed calls for an end to the dangerous practice.

According to police reports, the four men were engaged in sewer cleaning work when they lost consciousness and collapsed. They were rushed to Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital, where Arvind, 40, from Kasganj, Uttar Pradesh, was pronounced dead on arrival. The other three, identified as Sonu and Narayana (also from Kasganj) and Naresh (from Bihar), are currently in critical condition in the intensive care unit.

“Officers responded immediately and transported the victims to the hospital,” stated Deputy Commissioner of Police (North West) Bhisham Singh. “The priority is now to determine the circumstances that led to this tragedy and hold those responsible accountable.”

Police have launched an investigation, focusing on the construction company that hired the men. They are also trying to ascertain which civic agency contracted the work. A case has been registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for causing death by negligence and endangering life, as well as under the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the persistent issue of manual scavenging in India, despite legal prohibitions. The case is likely to intensify scrutiny of safety practices and enforcement of laws aimed at protecting vulnerable sanitation workers.

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