A Friend's Distress Call
The events unfolded on a Thursday night when Kamal Dhyani, a 25-year-old, was on his way home and just fifteen minutes away. He made a call to a close
friend, indicating his proximity to his destination. This conversation, however, was the last anyone heard from him. After an hour passed without Kamal's arrival, his friends began to feel a growing sense of unease. Their initial anxiety escalated when multiple calls to Kamal's phone went unanswered, and messages remained unread, a stark departure from his usual communication habits. The friend recalled their conversation, emphasizing how close Kamal was to reaching home, making his subsequent disappearance all the more perplexing and alarming. This sudden silence triggered the beginning of an all-night ordeal for his worried companions.
The Desperate Search
Driven by escalating worry, Kamal's friends converged at the District Centre in Janakpuri, the last known location from his call. Having experienced two previous accidents, they feared a similar mishap might have befallen him. Their concern intensified as Kamal’s motorcycle was also nowhere to be seen. By midnight, seven friends had united, embarking on an exhaustive search across the area. They meticulously scoured every alleyway, dimly lit patch of land, and empty space, repeating their patrols of the same roads throughout the night. Their desperate efforts even led them to inspect the very pit where Kamal's body would later be discovered, though at the time, there was no sign of him. This painstaking search continued for hours, fueled by a dwindling hope for his safe return, but yielded no concrete clues initially.
Encountering Red Tape
As the night wore on without any sign of Kamal, the group decided to involve the authorities. Their visit to the police station, however, was met with what they perceived as a dismissive attitude. They alleged that their initial attempts to file a missing person report were rebuffed, with officers stating that complaints would not be registered until 11 am the following day. Despite repeated pleas, police eventually agreed to track Kamal's phone, but the information provided was vague. They were reportedly instructed to search within a limited 200-meter radius, a directive the friends found impractical for locating someone in the darkness. This perceived lack of urgency and clear guidance from the police added to their frustration and helplessness during the critical hours of the search.
A Horrifying Revelation
The friends' determined search persisted from midnight until dawn, a grueling seven-hour period marked by exhaustion, fear, and a profound sense of helplessness. They continued to comb the deserted streets, clinging to the faint possibility of a miracle. Their physical and emotional reserves were completely depleted by sunrise. Shortly after they returned home, Kamal’s phone rang. This time, when they called back, a police officer answered, delivering the devastating news: Kamal had been found inside the pit. The revelation was numbing, especially given their proximity to the location throughout the night. The friends expressed profound regret, believing that an earlier discovery could have potentially saved Kamal's life, leading to their sharp criticism of the police response and the unsafe conditions.
Questions of Accountability
Following the tragic discovery, the friends raised significant concerns regarding the safety measures around the open pit and the effectiveness of the police investigation. They questioned why Kamal's phone couldn't be traced with greater precision and why the exact location wasn't provided to them. They also highlighted the stark absence of any barricades or warning signs around the hazardous pit, noting that such safety measures were only put in place after the incident. This led to a strong feeling that timely action and better safety protocols could have prevented Kamal's untimely demise. The friends also grappled with the difficult task of informing Kamal's grieving family, particularly his mother, about the heartbreaking loss.
Investigations and Aftermath
Kamal Dhyani, employed at an HDFC Bank call centre, was remembered by his friends as a dedicated and ambitious individual focused on his future. They emphasized that he was simply returning home and did not engage in any unnecessary risks. In response to the incident, DCP West Sharad Bhaskar stated that the police had initiated a search after Kamal's brother reported him missing, with his phone location indicating Janakpuri District Park. A head constable reportedly searched with family members for approximately 2.5 hours. The body was discovered after a woman alerted the police in the morning, and an FIR was being registered. Delhi Minister Ashish Sood and the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) have initiated inquiries into the safety lapses, with the DJB forming a committee to ensure strict action against any negligence found, while Kamal's friends are left to ponder the 'what ifs' of that fateful night.
