DU South Campus: Contractual Gardener Electrocuted During Work, Negligence Case Filed

A 33-year-old contractual gardener died after suffering an electric shock while working at Delhi University’s South Campus on Monday morning, prompting police to register a case of death by negligence. The incident occurred around 5:30 am on September 7, triggering protests by the victim's family members and university students.

According to the Delhi Police, a Police Control Room call was received early Monday regarding a man who had suffered an electric shock on the campus. The victim, identified as a resident of a JJ Camp in the Sri Ram Moti Bagh area, was immediately rushed to Safdarjung Hospital. Doctors at the facility declared him dead on arrival.

A preliminary inquiry revealed that the deceased was employed on a contractual basis as a gardener. Police said he allegedly sustained the fatal electric shock while carrying out tree-pruning work on the university grounds.

Following the incident, the Delhi Police registered a criminal case under Sections 287 and 106(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Officials stated that a further investigation is underway to determine how the electrocution occurred.

The death sparked anger among the gardener's relatives and university students, who staged a demonstration alleging negligence on the part of university authorities.

“The deceased had been hired on a contractual basis as a gardener, but was being made to do the work of an electrician,” said Shubham, a protester at the scene. The demonstrators demanded financial compensation for the victim's family along with a permanent job for his wife.