Delhi HC voices displeasure over hurdles in employment of victim’s family

The Delhi High Court expressed its displeasure on Thursday over the “hurdles” in the grant of compassionate employment to a family member of a security guard who died inside a sewer last year, highlighting the fact that nothing was being done for him despite the fact that he gave his life to save a manual scavenger.

The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) filed an appeal in the case, which was later withdrawn, and a bench presided over by Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma urged the authorities to hire a member of the deceased person’s family.

According to the court, the deceased was a brave man who gave his life to save the life of another.

“Please grant him employment. At every point of time, (there are) all kinds of hurdles in grant of compensation, employment … I feel sorry for DDA. This particular gentleman gave his life to save somebody. He lost his life to save a manual scavenger and we are not at all doing anything for him. Please do something,” said the bench, also comprising Justice Subramonium Prasad.

On September 9 of last year, a sweeper and a security guard died in the Mundka neighbourhood of outer Delhi after breathing in toxic gases from a sewer.

When a sweeper went underground to clean the sewer and passed out, a security gaurd  ran to help and him also passed out. They both died.

On the basis of a news report, the high court subsequently filed a public interest litigation (PIL) on its own.

During the hearing, the Delhi government counsel said the widow of the deceased or someone on her behalf would be accommodated and some employment will be provided.

Amicus curiae Rajshekhar Rao, who is assisting the court in the matter, submitted that the guard’s widow, who was earlier in touch with him, has two children and “doesn’t seem to be educated” and so she may have to be rehabilitated in some manner.

As far as the deceased manual scavenger was concerned, the court was informed, his family has been given employment by the DDA.

“Let an affidavit be filed of a responsible officer in respect of grant of compassionate employment to the widow of late Mr Rohit (the security guard). Let the same be done within a week,” ordered the court.

The counsel for DDA also said an appeal before the Supreme Court was withdrawn without even addressing arguments.

Last month, the court was informed that the Delhi government has paid a sum of Rs 10 lakh each to the families of the two deceased people.

The court had then remarked it was unfortunate that even after 75 years of Independence, the poor were forced to work as manual scavengers.

On November 14, 2022, the high court had expressed displeasure over non-compliance of its earlier order and termed as “egregious” the “apathy” of DDA over the death of two people inside a sewer.

The matter will be heard next on March 27.

(From PTI)