New Delhi, 09 April (H.S.):

The Delhi Police has filed a chargesheet in the Janakpuri case involving the death of a motorcyclist who fell into an uncovered pit belonging to the Delhi Jal Board on Dwarka Court premises. Judicial Magistrate First Class Harjot Singh Aujla has directed that the chargesheet be heard on April 30.

The court has summoned the investigating officer and the station house officer (SHO) for appearance on April 30. In the chargesheet, the Delhi Police has invoked charges of criminal conspiracy and causing death by negligence, alleging that the uncovered pit was left dangerously open.

Under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (Indian Penal Code equivalent), the police has invoked clauses 05, 238A, 238(B), 61(2), and 340(2) in connection with the case.

The chargesheet names three accused, including Rajesh Kumar Prajapati and Yogesh Prajapati, posing as contractors allegedly linked to the site.

The prosecution contends that their alleged negligence in cordoning off or covering the pit directly led to the fatal accident.

Court refuses interim bail, rejects custody claims

On April 8, the court rejected the interim bail plea of contractor Rajesh Kumar Prajapati, who had sought release on the grounds of illegal detention. Prajapati had alleged that he was being held in illegal custody at the police station.

However, the judge observed that CCTV footage from the gate opposite the station, the arrest memo, general diary entries, and call details collectively established that the accused had not been detained illegally. The court, therefore, declined to grant him interim bail, underscoring that due process had been followed during his arrest and remand.

Between the night of February 5 and 6, Kamal Dhyani, an employee working at a private bank, was returning home when the incident occurred. The police allege that the Delhi Jal Board had left a deep excavation pit open and unmarked, creating a serious hazard on the road.

Dhyani, riding his motorcycle, reportedly fell into the uncovered pit along with his bike, sustaining fatal injuries that led to his death at the spot.

The case has since triggered public outrage over urban safety norms and the accountability of municipal and utility agencies in safeguarding road users.

The April 30 hearing is expected to address the framing of charges against the accused, the evidentiary record, and any further directions on the investigation and trial schedule.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar