8-year-old falls into water-filled rly pit in Raichur, dies: Police

A tragic accident in India's Raichur district has claimed the life of an eight-year-old boy who drowned after slipping into a water-filled construction pit. The incident occurred on Sunday near Kapagal village in Manvi taluk, where the child had accompanied his parents to their agricultural land.

“

An incident occurred near Kapagal village in Manvi taluk at around 10.30 am on Sunday. After some time, when the parents realised their son was missing, they searched the surrounding area.

According to Manvi Police Inspector Somashekar Kencha Reddy, the boy wandered off while playing and fell into a pit, approximately 9 to 10 feet deep, which had been excavated for a railway column and subsequently filled with water. His parents discovered him in the pit, pulled him out, and rushed him to Lakshmi Hospital, Manvi, where doctors declared him dead.

“

The parents found the boy in a water filled pit dug by the Railway Department at Survey No. 223, adjacent to their land. They pulled him out and rushed him to Lakshmi Hospital, Manvi. Doctors declared him dead. His body was later shifted to the government hospital mortuary.

The boy's family has lodged a complaint accusing railway authorities, the contractor, and engineers of failing to implement adequate safety measures at the excavation site. Based on this complaint, Manvi police have registered a case under section 106(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, related to culpable homicide, and launched an investigation. Manvi MLA G Hampayya Nayak assured that action would be taken against those responsible and that the government would provide compensation to the deceased child's family.

“

The boy’s father filed a complaint alleging negligence on the part of the railway authorities, the contractor and the engineers. They stated that adequate safety precautions were not taken during the railway construction work, leading to the accident. Based on the complaint, we are investigating the matter and will take appropriate action.

The incident has also highlighted broader safety concerns at railway construction sites across the district. Social activist Shivkumar Kamthane Sindol pointed out that similar unsecured pits exist at multiple sites, posing risks to farmers and children working or living near agricultural fields. He urged the government to enforce safeguards and revoke licenses for negligent contractors and engineers. Raichur Deputy Commissioner Poovitha S confirmed an inquiry is underway and that district authorities had recently instructed railway officials to enhance safety measures, including fencing and warning notices.

“

Instructions have been issued to the concerned authorities, and action will be taken against the contractor and the engineer responsible. Compensation will also be provided by the government to the deceased child’s family.