U.P. govt. to give ₹30 lakh each to families of two sanitation workers who died inhaling toxic gas

The families of two sanitation workers who died after inhaling toxic gas while cleaning a sewer tank in Vrindavan will receive ₹30 lakh each as compensation, the minimum amount mandated by the Supreme Court, a local municipal commissioner said.

The incident occurred on Saturday (June 21, 2025) evening in the Keshav Dham area, when Narendra (38) and Chhotelal (40), were cleaning a sewer tank at a private guesthouse. They were apparently hired by contractor Amit at the request of the guesthouse manager Hemant.

Despite the potential presence of poisonous gas, safety protocols were not followed, leading to their deaths, officials said.

Although the two were not employees of the Municipal Corporation, the Commissioner said that, considering the appeals from family members and various organisations who demanded ₹1 crore for each victim, efforts are on to provide ₹30 lakh each as ex gratia assistance.

The Commissioner further said that police have arrested the guesthouse manager and the contractor on charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

Further investigation is underway.