New Delhi, February 8 The Delhi Police on Sunday arrested a construction worker employed by the subcontractor, who was arrested in connection with the death of a 25-year-old motorcyclist who fell into a 15-foot deep, uncovered pit in Janakpuri, officials said.
The construction worker, identified as Yogesh (23), was apprehended for allegedly not informing the police or emergency authorities about the motorcyclist's fall, as well as for misleading the victim's family when they came to inquire about him, according to Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) Darade Sharad Bhaskar.
Yogesh was present at the site when the accident occurred and was among the first to realize that a motorcyclist had fallen into the pit dug by the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) for a sewer-related project, the DCP said.
"Yogesh had informed the subcontractor, Rajesh Kumar Prajapati, about the incident during the night, but he did not alert the police or any emergency agency. When the victim's family reached the site later that night, searching for him, Yogesh misled them by claiming he had no knowledge," the DCP said. Yogesh subsequently fled the area.
The arrest came a day after police arrested Prajapati, 47, for failing to inform authorities despite knowing about the fall hours before the police were alerted. A duty magistrate has granted one day of police custody for further investigation.
Police said that call detail records showed Yogesh had contacted Prajapati around 12:22 am, following which the subcontractor reached the site within 15-20 minutes.
However, the police were only informed about the incident around 8 am the next morning, by which time the motorcyclist had died.
Yogesh had looked into the pit after being alerted by a security guard and had noticed a motorcycle with its headlight on and a human figure inside, police said earlier.
The victim, Kamal Dhyani, a resident of Kailashpuri and an employee of a private bank, was returning home when he fell into the nearly 15-foot deep pit in Janakpuri on early Friday.
Police said the victim's family searched several hospitals, police stations, and different areas, including near the ditch, throughout the night but found no record of any accident. Using mobile phone location data, the family and police personnel later combed the Janakpuri area before locating the accident site after several hours.
An FIR has been registered at the Janakpuri Police Station under Section 105 (culpable homicide) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita against the subcontractor and concerned DJB officials.
Police said that Yogesh's role is being examined, and further legal action will follow based on evidence.
Teams are analyzing CCTV footage and other technical inputs to establish the sequence of events.
Three DJB officials have been suspended in the case.