Delhi Police are probing tampering of evidence and death caused due to negligence after a 35-year-old man working at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport died falling from height during the ongoing
expansion work at the apron area of Terminal-3. Initial probe has revealed that the scene of crime was washed before the forensics could arrive, the first investigation report (FIR) registered in the matter, suggests.
The incident took place on September 5, when Sukhdev Sharma, 34, a resident of Gonda in Uttar Pradesh, was working at the apron area of Terminal-3. While working on one of the scaffoldings, Sharma fell on the ground and was injured critically. He was then rushed to a nearby hospital.
According to the police, they received a call around 6.30 pm reporting that a man has fallen from height and has been rushed to hospital. “A police team that reached the spot inspected the area. The incident spot was the apron area where scaffoldings and construction material was found. Police further found that blood stains on the area where the man had fallen appeared to have been washed. Crime and forensics teams were then called on spot for a detailed inspection,” said a senior officer.
Further police received information from Parmeshwari Devi Hospital that Sharma, who was brought there around 4.30 pm has succumbed to his fatal fall injuries around 8.45 pm.
The medico legal certificate produced during the investigation mentions that Sharma fell from a scaffolding while working from a height of about ten feet causing his death, an officer privy to the matter, told CNN-News18.
A case was then registered under section 106 (1) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for causing death by negligence and section 238a that deals with the offense of causing the disappearance of evidence or giving false information to screen an offender.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (IGI Airport) Vichitra Veer said they are investigating the incident. “Our team registered a case under relevant sections and we are investigating the matter from all possible angles,” the DCP said.
Meanwhile, the airport operator, DIAL, that is carrying out the expansion work at Terminal 3, refused to comment on why the scene of crime was tampered with or washed? An email sent to DIAL on the same remained unanswered. However, commenting on the incident, DIAL said, the labourer was employed by a third-party contractor appointed by DIAL to carry out certain construction works at the airside.
“Initial inquiry suggests that he fell from a height on September 5 while not adhering to prescribed safety protocols. He was rushed to the hospital immediately, but despite the best efforts, he could not survive. A police case has been lodged by the contractor, and the matter is currently under investigation,” the airport operator said in a statement.
DIAL added, “Our heartfelt condolences go out to the bereaved family during this difficult time. We understand that the contractor has extended financial aid to the family, and we remain in close touch to ensure necessary support.”
The airport operator did not clarify what safety protocols the labourer here was not adhering to and if the safety measures for all other labourers working at different construction sites at the airport are being adequately fulfilled.
