Greater Noida: 6-year-old boy dies after falling into water-filled pit

A six-year-old boy died on Saturday evening after falling into a water-filled pit dug for constructing a tubewell in Greater Noida, police said. The incident occurred while the child was playing near the pit with friends. The contractor overseeing the work was arrested on Sunday.

According to Shiwan Yadav (42), father of the deceased Avyaan, the child was playing near the pit around 5:30 pm in the Kaladham Society, where the family resides. The pit was dug by the Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority (GNIDA) for construction work recently, he added.

Ravi Shankar Nim, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Greater Noida), confirmed the arrest of contractor Manoj Jain (53), a resident of Ghaziabad. An FIR was registered at Knowledge Park police station based on a complaint from Yadav, who works as an arts teacher at a Kendriya Vidyalaya.

In his complaint, Yadav alleged negligence by officials and the absence of safety measures at the site. He requested an investigation to verify whether construction was carried out with permission from the residents' welfare association, and whether danger signs, barricades, or reflectors were placed. The pit was about 10-15 feet deep, he said. He also sought to know if residents were informed about precautions. “I want an investigation, and action should be taken against the officials responsible,” he told The Indian Express.

On Saturday evening, Avyaan had gone out to play with his mother, who told him not to go far. While they were playing, his mother went inside briefly. When Avyaan fell into the pit, his friend rushed to call for help. Another artist, Harmeet Ratan, jumped in and pulled Avyaan out. They took him to Yatharth Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

“The pit is so deep that even a car would have fallen inside… how can my child have survived in that pit?” Yadav said.

Police have registered a case under sections of Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita for culpable homicide not amounting to murder (Section 105) and endangering life or safety of others (Section 125). Further legal action is underway.

In a statement on Sunday, GNIDA said a preliminary review revealed negligence by the contractor, who commenced work without adequate safety arrangements. The authority submitted a complaint seeking an FIR against contractor Manoj Kumar Jain, proprietor of Supreme Industrial Corporation. Complaints were also filed against technical supervisor Akash Kumar and supervisor Johnny Kumar, GNIDA, for alleged negligence. The contractor's company has been blacklisted.

N G Ravi Kumar, CEO of the authority, has ordered a detailed inquiry. He directed all work circles to ensure construction begins only after proper barricading and safety measures. “Any violation of these safety norms will invite strict action against both the concerned work circle staff and the contractor,” he said.

Officials said the work to install a new tube well at Kaladham Society began three days ago to improve the water supply system. The contractor failed to inform senior officials of the Water Department before starting. A pit was excavated for the tube well and subsequently filled with water.