In a significant ruling, a Delhi court has denied regular bail to Rajesh Kumar, the prime accused in the tragic Janakpuri incident that claimed the life of a young biker. The case stems from a fatal mishap on the night of February 6, 2026, when 25-year-old Kamal Dhayani plunged into an uncovered 15-20 foot deep pit dug by the Delhi Jal Board for sewer and water line work.
Kamal’s postmortem revealed he suffocated to death, with burn marks on his body and heavy pressure on his chest, pointing to the hazardous conditions inside the pit. The court expressed deep concern over the grave allegations of negligence, including the absence of safety measures like barricades or signage at the site. Investigations are in early stages, with witness statements pending and key documents—such as excavation permissions, safety compliance records, and contract terms—under scrutiny.
Judges underscored the risk of witness tampering, evidence manipulation, or flight if Rajesh were released. Despite his clean criminal record and local residency, the severity of the offense and public interest outweighed personal liberty claims at this juncture. The bench emphasized the need to balance individual freedoms with impartial probes in cases of negligence during public works.
Defense lawyers argued the arrest was unlawful, claiming Rajesh was detained on February 6 but produced in court only on February 8, violating CrPC (now BNSS) provisions and Article 22(2) of the Constitution, which mandates presentation within 24 hours. Citing Supreme Court precedents, they demanded relief. The court deferred judgment on this, directing the Janakpuri SHO/IO to submit a detailed response with CCTV footage from February 6-8. The next hearing is set for February 16, 2026, at 2 PM.
The incident unfolded on February 5 when DJB contractors dug the pit in Janakpuri without proper safeguards. That night, Kamal fell in while riding his bike. Sub-contractor Rajesh Kumar arrived at the scene, spotted the bike and victim, but failed to alert police or rescue teams. The body was discovered the next morning by a passerby, leading to Rajesh’s arrest on February 7. This case highlights glaring lapses in urban infrastructure safety, demanding stricter oversight.