Senior falls in manhole, dies

The victim, Hemanth Kumar Sahay, 66, was walking home when he failed to notice the manhole and accidentally fell into it. GHMC authorities, however, said that the contractor was instructed to cover the manhole, but he was negligent. The deputy executive engineer and assistant engineer of GHMC have been suspended for negligence.

The repairs were being taken up in view of the XI Metropolis World Congress.The incident occurred at around 11 pm at Street No. 6, opposite Vasu Pharma House. “He was walking back home alone when he accidentally slipped and fell into the manhole. He did not see that it was uncovered. He sustained a grave head injury resulting in instant death,” said Mr G. Jagannadh, SI Narayanguda. Locals found Sahay dead in the manhole and alerted the police at around 7.30 am.

The manhole had a couple of boulders and mud dumped around it to prevent anyone falling inside. Based on a complaint lodged by the victim’s brother, Mr Piyush Kumar Sahay, a case of suspicious death was registered under Section 174 of the CrPC and is being investigated. Police said that based on further investigation, the sections may be altered.

“According to their complaint, we have registered a suspicious death case. The family has not alleged anything in the complaint. If they come forward with any allegation or if it is found that the death was caused due to negligence, we will proceed accordingly,” said Mr S. Bheem Reddy, Inspector, Narayanguda.