'6 responsible for Mahi's death'

A magisterial inquiry has held six persons responsible for the death of five-year-old Mahi who fell into a 70-foot-deep borewell on June 20, an official said on Friday.

Additional deputy commissioner K M Pandurang, who conducted the inquest, has submitted a report to deputy commissioner of Gurgaon P C Meena.

Those held liable include Rohtash Tayal, the owner of the building in which Mahi and her parents were residing, caretaker Surender Singh who used to collect rent from tenants for Tayal, Kasan village Sarpanch Bimla Devi, ‘Gram Sachiv’ Surjeet, the panch of the concerned ward as well as the owner of the boring or drilling machine used for drilling the borewell.

According to the report, Tayal dug three borewells, including the one into which Mahi fell, without taking prior permission from the competent authority - the deputy commissioner of Gurgaon.

Of these three wells, one was operational while two others were left uncovered.
Had Tayal got the abandoned borewells filled up properly, the incident would not have happened, says the report.

Surender Singh, who used to collect rent from the tenants for Tayal, can also not be absolved of responsibility as he also runs a shop in the vicinity, says the report.
If Tayal failed to fill up the borewell, Surender Singh could have done it to avoid any mishap.

Owner held responsible

The owner of the borewell drilling machine has also been held responsible for digging an illegal borewell which does not have proper permission from the competent authority.
The report also holds sarpanch Bimla Devi, ‘Gram Sachiv’ Surjeet and the panch of the concerned ward in which the incident happened as responsible.