NEW DELHI — The national capital is reeling from a second fatal incident of civic negligence in less than a week. On Wednesday, February 11, 2026, the body of Birju Kumar Rai, a migrant labourer from Samastipur, Bihar, was fished out of an open manhole in Rohini Sector 32 (Begumpur). This tragedy follows the death of a 25-year-old bank teller in Janakpuri just four days prior, highlighting a recurring and deadly pattern of unguarded excavation across Delhi.
1. The Rohini Incident: Intoxication and Uncovered Hazards
Birju Kumar Rai fell into an open sewer on vacant land owned by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) on Monday night.
- The Timeline: Rai and his friend, Budhan Das, were returning home around 7:30 PM on Monday after consuming alcohol. Das reportedly witnessed Rai fall into the pit but failed to report it immediately due to his own state of intoxication.+1
- The Discovery: A PCR call was made only at 2:36 PM on Tuesday by another friend, Amir Hussain. Following a search by the fire department and police, Rai’s body was recovered at 8:45 PM.+1
- The Negligence: Preliminary reports state the manhole was located on a poorly lit stretch with no barricades, reflectors, or warning signs. Residents allege the manhole had been left uncovered for weeks.
2. Connecting the Dots: The Janakpuri Pit Death
The Rohini death occurred while Delhi was still mourning Kamal Dhyani, who died on February 5, 2026.
| Feature | Janakpuri Incident (Feb 5) | Rohini Incident (Feb 9) |
| Victim | Kamal Dhyani (25), Bank Employee | Birju Kumar Rai (32), Labourer |
| Authority | Delhi Jal Board (DJB) | Delhi Development Authority (DDA) |
| Cause | 15-20 ft deep sewer excavation pit | Open manhole on vacant land |
| Action Taken | 3 officials suspended; 2 arrests made | FIR registered; manhole covered with bricks |
3. Legal and Institutional Response
Public anger has forced authorities into a defensive stance, though systemic accountability remains elusive.
- FIR Details: Police have registered a case at Begumpur station under Section 106 (causing death by negligence) and Section 285 (danger or obstruction in public way) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against unknown persons.
- DDA Silence: While the police confirmed the land is maintained by the DDA, the agency has so far refused to issue a formal comment.
- Safety Audits: In response to the back-to-back tragedies, the Public Works Department (PWD) has issued an urgent memorandum to all departments to conduct comprehensive safety checks on flyovers, drains, and construction sites city-wide.
4. The Human Cost
Birju Kumar Rai was the sole breadwinner for his family in Bihar. He is survived by his wife, Suchita, and three young children. His cousin noted that Birju moved to Delhi 10 years ago to fund his children’s education and the medical treatment of his mentally unwell mother.+2