Uncovered pit kills Delhi biker, sparks political storm

NEW DELHI: A 25-year-old motorcyclist, Kamal Dhyani, lost his life after plunging into an uncovered pit dug for roadwork in Janakpuri, West Delhi, triggering a political uproar and administrative action. The fatal incident occurred near B3B Block, close to Andhra School on Professor Jogender Singh Marg.

Delhi Home Minister Ashish Sood on Saturday announced the suspension of all officials found responsible, asserting that accountability would be fixed and no one would be spared. After inspecting the site, Sood said the Delhi government was focused on restoring the road at the earliest while ensuring minimal disruption to commuters.

“All concerned departments carried out a joint inspection and necessary directions have been issued. I am here to ensure the road functions smoothly. All responsible officers have been suspended, an FIR has been registered and a probe is underway. The Chief Minister is personally monitoring the situation, and we share the pain caused by this tragic incident,” Sood said.

According to the FIR lodged at Janakpuri Police Station, the pit—approximately 20 feet long, 13 feet wide and 14 feet deep—had been left open in the middle of a public road without any safety measures. The report noted the complete absence of warning signage, reflectors, barricades, adequate lighting or a security guard at the site.

Police said they received a PCR call from a woman informing them that a biker had fallen into a pit about 15 feet deep and required immediate help. When officers reached the spot, they found an unidentified man and his motorcycle inside the pit. With assistance from the fire brigade, the injured rider was rescued and rushed to Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital in a PCR vehicle, where doctors declared him brought dead.

Following a spot inspection, police determined that the pit had been excavated by the Delhi Jal Board for roadwork and left exposed without any safety arrangements. The FIR stated that both the Delhi Jal Board and its contractor were aware that leaving an open pit on a busy public road posed a serious risk and could result in loss of life.

A crime team and officials from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) examined the scene and documented evidence through photographs. Police said no eyewitnesses could be traced either at the accident site or at the hospital. The case has been registered under Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and further investigation is underway.

The incident has drawn sharp political reactions. AAP Delhi president Saurabh Bharadwaj accused the Delhi Police and the BJP-led government of attempting to shield those responsible and demanded the immediate suspension of Police Commissioner Satish Golchha.

“The Delhi Police and the BJP government tried to shift the blame onto Kamal Dhyani. Had the police shared the precise location of his mobile phone during the night, his life could have been saved. CCTV footage has not been released. The Police Commissioner must be suspended immediately,” Bharadwaj alleged.

Delhi Congress president Devender Yadav also blamed the BJP government for the tragedy and demanded compensation of ₹1 crore for the victim’s family. He alleged persistent neglect of road maintenance and cited several deaths caused by potholes, open drains and waterlogging in the city over the past year, saying the incident exposed the government’s development claims.

Meanwhile, Dhyani’s friend Altaf Alam expressed grief and anger, alleging that safety measures were put in place only after the accident. “The road was open earlier; it was covered later to hide their negligence. Seeing his twin brother makes the loss even more painful. The family was preparing to celebrate his parents’ anniversary,” he said.

Kamal Dhyani’s death has once again brought the spotlight on road safety lapses, civic accountability and the failure to enforce safety norms at construction sites across the national capital.