Bengaluru man, 31, dies after allegedly being forced to clean manhole

A 31-year-old man, died after allegedly being forced to clean a manhole in Bengaluru.

Published on: Jul 22, 2025, 08:59:57 IST

By HT News Desk

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A 31-year-old man lost his life and another was hospitalised after they were allegedly coerced into cleaning a manhole in Ashraynagar near Bengaluru's RMC Yard on Sunday evening.

A case has been registered under the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and Their Rehabilitation Act. (Representational Image)

The victim has been identified as L Putta. According to a police complaint filed by his father, M Lakshmana, a group of men reportedly took Putta and another individual named Anthony to Ashraynagar Main Road around 7 pm and compelled them to manually clean a manhole, the Times of India reported.

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Both men began experiencing severe health complications soon after exiting the manhole. Despite visible distress, they were neither provided immediate medical assistance nor rushed to a hospital. They returned home instead. Tragically, Putta succumbed the following morning.

A case has been registered under the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and Their Rehabilitation Act, which criminalises the employment of individuals for hazardous manual cleaning of sewers and septic tanks.

Four individuals, identified as Nagaraj, Ananda Kumar, Devaraju, and another unnamed suspect, have been booked in connection with the incident. However, no arrests have been made as of Monday, the report further added.

What does the law say?

The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and Their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 is a central law in India aimed at eliminating manual scavenging, the inhumane and hazardous practice of manually cleaning, carrying, or handling human excreta from dry latrines, sewers, and septic tanks. Despite the Act, the practice of manual scavenging is prevalent across the country.

The Act prohibits engagement of any person as a manual scavenger is prohibited. Construction or maintenance of insanitary latrines (those requiring manual cleaning of human excreta) is banned. Employing individuals to clean septic tanks, sewers, or drains manually without proper protective gear and safety measures is illegal.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

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