UPSC Aspirant Electrocuted On Waterlogged Delhi Road, BJP Reacts

Two days after a 26-year-old civil service aspirant allegedly died by electrocution following heavy rain in central Delhi’s Patel Nagar area, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has blamed the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for the sorry state of affairs in the national capital.

According to police officials, the incident occurred on Monday afternoon when Nilesh Rai, an engineer and a native of Ghazipur in Uttar Pradesh, had stepped out of his PG accommodation to buy something.

A picture purportedly showing Rai’s upper body stuck to the gate with his feet in water and wires dangling from an electric pole was doing the rounds on social media.

BJP REACTS

BJP National Secretary Majinder Singh Sirsa condemned the incident. Taking to X, he wrote, “Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s cheap politics caused the incident. Delhi have never seen such an incompetent government before.

BJP Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla demanded Arvind Kejriwal’s resignation and wrote, “26 year old UPSC aspirant residing in a PG at Patel Nagar area in the national capital got electrocuted. Is life so cheap? Water logging with little rain and complete criminal negligence of Delhi govt. You take credit for free water & free bijli (electricity)! Now don’t blame others for this murder.”

“The alleyway leading to victim Nilesh’s PG accommodation was severely waterlogged just after a little rain. To avoid having to walk in the puddle, victim Nilesh decided to use the support of the gate and climb over the pool. Att that time one of the exposed wires was in contact with the water, which in turn caused the gate to be electrically charged. When Nilesh clutched at the metal gate, he was electrocuted,” he added.

“On 29th June more than 5-6 people lost their lives in Delhi due to water logging.  Many such cases have taken place. But priority of AAP is blame game & to do PCs to defend their corrupt leader. Should Kejriwal not resign? Atleast now?” he added.

Meanwhile, BJP’s Delhi unit also sought justice for the youngster and wrote, “This is not an accident, this is a murder. Kejriwal gant, The only mistake of this UPSC student was that he came to your city to study. He did not know that here there is a useless government which runs only through press conferences!”

AAP MP Swati Maliwal also responded to the incident seeking justice and wrote, “This is not an accident, it is a murder caused by the failure of the government. Is there no value for the lives of common citizens? What answer will that child’s parents get? He died while walking on the road, sorry? An FIR should be filed in this incident and immediate action should be taken against all responsible persons.”

The former DCW Chairperson took to her official X account again on Wednesday and said, “Yesterday, when I raised the issue of the death of a UPSC student due to electric shock in Patel Nagar, the administration woke up from its slumber. The victim’s family should get a compensation of ₹ 1 crore. Those who were behind this criminal negligence should be punished. This fight will continue until Nilesh gets justice.”

WHAT POLICE SAID

According to police, information was received at Ranjit Nagar police station at 2.43 pm on Monday that a man was electrocuted near Power Gym, close to Patel Nagar metro station.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) M Harsha Vardhan said that after reaching the spot, it was found that the man was electrocuted after he touched the iron gate on the waterlogged road.

“The person was taken to RML Hospital, where he was declared brought dead by the doctors,” he said.

An FIR has been registered at Ranjit Nagar police station and forensic teams visited the spot, the DCP said, adding that further investigation is underway.

Atul Dua, the owner of Rai’s PG, said he had been living in the PG for the last three years and was preparing for the civil services.

Around 2.30 pm on Monday, Rai went out to buy something. Later, a passerby informed the PG staff that a man was stuck to an iron gate. Many people rushed to the spot but no one dared to touch him as they feared getting electrocuted, Dua said.

He said Rai’s father is an advocate and mother is a teacher. He has two sisters and was planning to visit home for Raksha Bandhan.