One killed in East Delhi gurudwara roof collapse

Tragedy befell on a family of five when the roof of a gurudwara in East Delhi’s Geeta Colony, under which they were sleeping, fell on them.

Five-year-old Kuljeet Kaur died and four members of her family — Rajinder Singh, Rajinder Kaur, Harmanpreet Kaur and Sagar — were injured. The family works as sewadar (helpers) for the gurudwara for more than 10 years.

According to police, the incident came to light around 2 am on Wednesday when they got a PCR call regarding a roof collapse at block number 10. The victims who were buried under the debris were pulled out and rushed to hospital.

Kuljeet was declared brought dead by doctors whereas the others were discharged from hospital after treatment.

One eyewitnesses Balbir Singh claimed that he was inside the gurudwara when he heard some noise and within seconds the wall fell. Singh, however, didn’t receive any injuries.

According to other eyewitnesses, around 11:30 pm on Tuesday some PWD workers were digging land in the back of the gurudwara, which locals claimed is a parking spot.

“The land in which the PWD workers were digging was adjacent to the wall of gurudwara due to which the wall became weak and fell on the family members,” said Sukhdeo Singh, brother of  Rajinder Singh, who also received minor injuries on his hand.

The local residents suspected some foul play in the incident as they questioned about the workers’ digging the area late at night, due to which, they suspect the wall fell.

Immediately, after the incident the workers fled the spot, locals added. “What type of construction work was carried out by PWD we do not know as there is no board put up by the PWD here,” said MN Singh, a local resident.

According to the members of gurudwara committee, they had earlier warned the construction workers not to dig the land as it could weaken the gurudwara wall.A case of negligence has been registered against unknown persons at Geeta Colony police station and further investigation is on, police said.