Child’s sewer pit death reflects civic failure: Delhi HC
The Delhi High Court awarded nearly ₹33.5 lakh in compensation to the parents of a 10-year-old boy who died after falling into an uncovered sewer pit.
The court held that the negligence reflected a 'fundamental breakdown of civic governance' and violated the child's fundamental right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution of India.
The court directed the Delhi government and Delhi Jal Board to each pay ₹16,92,511.6 with 9% interest.
The incident occurred in September 2014 during sewerage work by two private companies engaged by the Delhi Jal Board; the site had only one security guard.
The court criticized state authorities for trying to shift responsibility, and the order came in a petition filed by the parents in 2019 seeking ₹40 lakh in compensation.
