Sanitary workers' death: Minister orders probe, mayor announces Rs 5L ex-gratia

Bengaluru Development Minister K J George on Sunday ordered a probe on the death of three sanitary workers while cleaning a sewage treatment plant at an apartment in Somasundarapalya.

"I have directed the authority concerned to inquire and book those responsible for the incident and take necessary action," the minister said after visiting the place. The victims were not qualified people to  enter the manhole," George added.  

BBMP Mayor R Sampath Raj announced ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh each to the families of the dead sanitary workers. Raj visited the apartment and accused the owners of negligence.

"This is clearly a violation of human rights," he said, vowing serious action after the probe. "It's unfortunate that people continue to use manual labourers despite the availability of equipment to clean the sewage," he said.  

Such deaths are not new to the city.

On March 7, 2017, three persons died while cleaning a manhole at Kaggadasapura near C V Raman Nagar.

The Baiyappanahalli police had then arrested three persons in connection with the deaths and a case was filed under IPC Section 304 (culpable homicide, not amounting to murder) and Section 8 of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and Rehabilitation Act, 2013.

Police officials said the case has been stayed by the high court and the three accused are out on bail.