Contractor’s negligence results in tragic death of child in restive Sukma

Sukma Nov 26:  An First Information Report (FIR) has been filed against a Raipur-based contractor and his team following the death of a four-year-old boy in Sukma district, Chhattisgarh. The victim drowned in an uncovered trench filled with rainwater, allegedly left unattended by M/s Lakshmi Agency, which was executing a government pipeline project under the Nal-Jal Yojana. The police have registered a case under Section 106(1) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), citing gross negligence.

The fatal incident unfolded in the Konta area, where M/s Lakshmi Agency had dug several ditches as part of a pipeline-laying initiative. However, the contractor reportedly failed to secure the sites with barricades or warning signs. The lack of safety measures at these open trenches created dangerous conditions for the local community, resulting in the tragic death of Muchaki Hunga, son of Muchaki Deva from Balingatong village.

How the tragedy unfolded

On 5 September 2024, Muchaki Hunga was playing near one of the trenches when he accidentally fell into the water-filled ditch. Despite desperate rescue attempts by his family and local residents, the child could not be saved.

The child’s father, Muchaki Bandi, reported the incident to the police, leading to a formal investigation. Authorities determined that the contractor, Harinarayan Gupta, had blatantly disregarded safety protocols. “The ditches were left uncovered and unsupervised, allowing rainwater to collect. This directly contributed to the child’s drowning,” stated a senior police officer.

Further inquiries confirmed that the contractor neglected to implement even basic safety measures such as barricades, signage, or monitoring. These lapses not only violated operational guidelines but also endangered lives in the vicinity.

The Sukma Police have initiated legal proceedings and are investigating additional liabilities that may extend to unidentified individuals involved in the project.