Delhi Govt orders removal of JE over minor girl’s death in open drain

The Delhi Government on Tuesday said it has dismissed a contractual Junior Engineer (JE) from service and ordered a safety audit after a two-year-old girl died after falling into an open drain near her home in the Mukundpur Part-II area of outer Delhi.

Reacting to the incident, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta expressed deep sorrow, calling it “extremely distressing and alarming,” and asserted that such negligence was not acceptable under any circumstances.

Acting on her directives, the Irrigation and Flood Control (I&FC) Department has dismissed a contractual JE from service with immediate effect. “Accountability for negligence will be fixed and culprits will not be spared,” said CM Rekha.

The Chief Minister stressed that ensuring the safety of citizens, especially children, is the government’s top priority. She directed all departments concerned to immediately identify open drains and other hazardous locations within their jurisdictions and take urgent corrective measures.

The police said on May 3, they received information at the Bhalswa Dairy police station that a toddler fell into a drain. After getting information, the police launched an intensive search operation. During the operation, the toddler was found inside a drain located about 15 metres away from her residence. She was rushed to BJRM Hospital where doctors declared her dead on arrival.

According to the police, family members suspect no foul play. Prima facie, the incident appears to be accidental fall and drowning. The girl was playing outside when she accidently fell into the open drain. She could not come out of it due to its depth, an official said.

The police said an appropriate action would be taken after an enquiry, including the post-mortem report, or in case any complaint is received from the family members.

Incident took place on May 3

The police said on May 3, they received information at the Bhalswa Dairy police station that a toddler fell into a drain. After getting information, the police launched an intensive search operation. During the operation, the toddler was found inside a drain located about 15 metres away from her residence. She was rushed to BJRM Hospital where doctors declared her dead on arrival.

Deaths due to civic apathy

February 5, 2026 (Janakpuri): 25-year-old Kamal Dhayani died after his motorcycle fell into an uncovered, unbarricaded pit dug by the Delhi Jal Board.

February 10, 2026 (Rohini): A 32-year-old labourer, Birju Kumar, died after falling into an open drain in Sector 32.