Notice to Delhi government after kid dies in manhole

New Delhi, July 15 (IANS) The Delhi High Court Tuesday issued notice to the city government and police on a plea seeking Rs.20 lakh compensation after a seven-year-old child died after falling into an open manhole.

Justice Manmohan also issued notice to the Public Works Department (PWD) and the East Delhi Municipal Corporation and sought their responses by Nov 5.

The petition was filed by Mohd. Aslam Khan whose son Mohd. Sadaf Siddiq died Jan 31 after falling into an open manhole that was in a dilapidated condition.

The manhole was open for a long time and the government never tried to cover it, the plea said.

As per the plea, two children were playing in Harijan Basti in Kondli area of east Delhi, when both of them fell into the open manhole.

While one child survived, Aslam Khan's son died.

The plea said the open manhole had no fencing, signboard or guard around it.

It said a complaint was filed at the Ghazipur police station but no action has been taken till date.