A PWD junior engineer has been arrested for criminal negligence over the drowning of an eight-year-old boy in a drain in Rani Bagh in May this year, police said today.
Anas, a Class-III student and son of an auto driver, was on his way home with his cousin Mohsin when he fell in the drain which was uncovered on May 9.
The incident was raised by Leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly Vijender Gupta who had demanded compensation to the kin of the boy and action against erring PWD officials by Delhi government.
"One Junior Engineer of PWD, Delhi Government, Narender has been arrested for criminal negligence in the maintenance of drain near road No 43, Sri Nagar, Rani Bagh, causing death of the 8-year-old child," said Vijay Singh, DCP (northwest).
A rescue operation was launched by police, fire brigade and disaster management personnel and the body of Anas was fished out of the drain with the help of divers.
An FIR under relevant provisions of the IPC was lodged at Subhash Place police station and investigation was launched, the officer said.
"During investigation, it was found that the responsibility of maintenance of the drain in which the boy fell and lost his life was upon the Public Works Department (PWD) of Delhi Government.
"A part of the drain where the incident occurred was uncovered. The PWD had neither put the required slab nor displayed any warning sign for the general public in this regard. Hence, negligence was found on the part of concerned officials of PWD," Singh said.
The police has also sought a report from the PWD to fix responsibility for the negligence on part of concerned official causing the incident.
