The 27-year old-man who drowned and died while working inside a tank of a Delhi Jal Board (DJB) sewage pumping station in north Delhi’s Jahangirpuri on Sunday, was to return home for the upcoming Diwali and Chhath Puja celebration.
Doman Rai was excited for his travel back home as this was the first time he would be seeing his five month old daughter Vaisanavi Kumari. Since his salary was delayed he was forced to postpone his plan; while the incident took place just a day before he was to receive his salary.
According to the Ramesh Rai, the deceased’s elder brother who had come to collect the body of Doman from Katihar distict in Bihar, said they got a call about the incident from Doman’s colleagues.
“On Sunday morning, we got the news of his death and we took the first train and reached here yesterday (Monday) evening,” said Ramesh.
He further said that Doman had planned to come home during Dusshara, however, he did not get his salary on time so he had to postpone his plan.
“I had scolded him also he was not able to come when his second daughter was born in May. He was very excited to see her and had booked ticked for November 5. His wife Beena Kumari who works as a daily labourer, has not been keeping well since she got to know about the incident,” said Bhilas Kumar Rai, Doman’s cousin.
According to Prem, Doman’s colleague and who had had been living with him at Khayala said that Doman used to speak about his family and specially his newly born younger daughter.
“He had treated us when his daughter was born. He was eagerly waiting for salary to be credited so that he starts preparing to go home in November,” said Prem.
Doman was survived by his wife Beena Kumari(25) and two daughter Sumi Kumari (4) and Vaishanavi Kumari (five months) and two elder brothers who worked as daily wages labourer in the village and the family condition was almost hand to mouth.
The North West district of Delhi police questioned the project supervisor and manager following the incident, however, no one was arrested in this regard.
On Sunday morning ,a 29-year old sewer worker drowned and died while cleaning a sewer in North- West Delhi’s Jahangirpuri area. A case under relevant sections including The Prohibition of Employment as manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act has been registered. Police are now on the look out for their contractor Ajay Daggy who is currently on the run.