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In a tragic incident in central Delhi’s Patel Nagar, a 26-year-old civil services aspirant, Nilesh Rai, was electrocuted after touching an electrified iron gate during heavy rains on Monday afternoon. Rai, an engineer from Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, had stepped out from his PG accommodation and was returning when the incident occurred, reported NDTV.
Witnesses reported seeing Rai’s upper body stuck to the gate with his feet in the water and electrical wires hanging from a nearby pole. Despite many people rushing to help, they feared touching him, worried about getting electrocuted themselves.
Police received a call at 2:43 PM about the incident near Power Gym, close to Patel Nagar metro station. Upon arrival, they found Rai had been electrocuted by the iron gate on the flooded road. He was rushed to RML Hospital but was declared dead on arrival.
Tata Power Discom attributed the incident to electric current leakage from damaged motor wiring at a customer’s property. However, the Delhi government announced a thorough investigation into the case. A senior police officer mentioned that CCTV footage is being reviewed, and Tata Power Discom will be questioned.
According to Atul Dua, the PG owner, Rai had been living there for three years, diligently preparing for the civil services. This year, in his fifth attempt, he qualified the UPSC Prelims and was set to take the UPSC Main exams in two months. Rai’s family has raised serious allegations against the power department, blaming their delayed response for his death.
“Many people called the electricity department repeatedly, but no one responded,” said Sashikant Rai, the deceased’s grandfather, reported India TV.
This negligence, the family claims, cost Rai his life.
The horrific death of Nilesh Rai has ignited a nationwide outrage against the Delhi government’s inability to meet its civic responsibilities. Here’s what people have been saying:
Nilesh and I studied civil engineering together in MSRIT and he was the topper of our batch. Everyone in the old hostel knew his room number where he would teach academically weaker students. He was always laughing, always helping. This is just so tragic https://t.co/ajUoPJpoVp
— Najmus Saqib (@najam_saqib) July 24, 2024
That is so sad dude!
Fraud and Corrupt UPSC servants are living the life to the fullest while deserving one losing his life on the streets.— Hemanth E (@HemanathanElum1) July 24, 2024
The more I read about him, i feel sadder. It is very very very sad. This country has yet again failed a good human being like him.
— Purple Hues (@PHues35112) July 24, 2024
And this is in the capital. This is not a tragedy. This is either horrible negligence or utter undervaluation of human life https://t.co/4klPuDVpW2
— Vidhya Bharathi (@Vidya191002) July 25, 2024
He was my senior too. Yes, literally everyone knew him in the old hostel. He was the unassigned leader and representative of students. Stood on behalf of us against an intimidating management many times. Tragic. RIP. https://t.co/VmJVGvDA1N
— Aditya (@avsaditya) July 24, 2024
In any society, any world it’d been considered cruel of such a man, possessing endless possibilities – to go in such an unfortunate way
Who’s gonna take the responsibility?
Probably none. https://t.co/5t6KiRpZ2H pic.twitter.com/fdaPd2xX48
— Yash (@Yashfacts28) July 25, 2024
and yk the family would get some 10L compensation, govt would never understand that goes much money they give it would never fill that void.
GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE!! https://t.co/Xdw5x0NSZ9
— Madbruiser (@Madbruiser) July 24, 2024
This happens the week I shift into the same area. Watching the people here, so fucking dedicated that too for service, this is the lowest of the low for the municipal authorities who are absolutely responsible for this death. https://t.co/IIexAqW7gA
— Tre (@majordev13) July 24, 2024
this hits really Hard. It could have been any of us.
That gate is used by many to reach towards Patel Nagar Metro.That part about – Him dying of the things he would have wanted to fix – is just beyond sad! https://t.co/fGHSaAAkGs
— Gumnam (@Lspeaks_) July 24, 2024
This incident raises critical questions about the authorities’ preparedness and responsiveness during emergencies, especially in weather conditions known to exacerbate such dangers. Who is to take accountability for this incident and the responsibility to ensure that such incidents don’t happen in the future?