Janakpuri biker death: subcontractor denied bail; family questions protection from arrest to 2 others

A Delhi court on Wednesday denied bail to Rajesh Kumar Prajapati, a subcontractor arrested in connection with the death of a 25-year-old biker after falling into a pit dug up by the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) for construction work in Janakpuri area on February 6.

Observing that the seriousness of the allegations and their wider social implications could not be overlooked, Judicial Magistrate First Class Harjot Singh Aujla of Dwarka Courts rejected the regular bail plea of the accused.

The subcontractor allegedly didn’t alert the police despite being informed by a labourer about the incident hours before a passer-by called the authorities the next morning, thereby delaying emergency response. The labourer, Yogesh, has also been arrested and sent to judicial custody for failing to inform the police and misleading the kin of the victim, Kamal Dhyani, when they came enquiring about him.

The denial of bail to Mr. Prajapati comes a day after Additional Sessions Judge Harleen Singh granted protection from arrest to two other contractors and ordered that no coercive steps be taken against Kavish Gupta and Himanshu Gupta till the next date of hearing. The court directed them to cooperate with the investigation.

The court of Judicial Magistrate First Class noted that as the investigation is at an early stage, there is a possibility of the accused influencing the witnesses, including residents, workers and officials connected with the DJB project.

Alleging illegal detention by the police, Mr. Prajapati’s counsel said his client was held on February 6 but presented before a Magistrate only on February 8. The court then directed the police to file a detailed reply along with relevant CCTV footage from the police station for February 6 to 8, showing the time of arrival and departure of the accused. The matter will now be heard on February 16.

No hope from authorities

Kamal’s father Naresh Chand Dhyani, meanwhile, said he has no faith left in the authorities. “While a lot of assurances are being given, there is nothing constructive happening. We have lost our son… The accused being given protection from arrest is not what we had expected,” Mr. Dhyani told mediapersons at his Sagarpur home on Wednesday. He demanded punishment for DJB and Delhi Police officials for their negligence.