HYDERABAD: An open manhole on the Gandhi hospital premises reportedly claimed the life of a person on Tuesday.
The putrefied body, which was stuck upside down in the sewer, was pulled out by the staff and police by tying a rope to his legs. Neither the identity of the person nor how he landed in the manhole, was known even as the police are making enquiries. Police suspect that the man, aged around 35, could have been stuck there for about two days. Skin on the body was completely peeled off and face completely blackened.
The uncovered manhole is located a few meters away from the hospital superintendent’s chamber and bringing out callousness of the hospital’s authorities, the manhole was left uncovered even after the incident.
Apart from that, CCTV cameras on the premises were not working, which made it tough for police to get clues about the death.
Police are investigating to find out if he accidentally fell into the manhole, or somebody shoved him into the hole. Autopsy would reveal if the man was drunk.
At around 1 p.m., a plumber of the hospital was checking all sewers as drainage water was clogged. When he reached the manhole, he found the body and alerted the other workers. Police personnel and the hospital staff pulled out the body, and sent it to mortuary for post-mortem examination.
The manhole is located in low lying area of the building, surrounded by walls. Though people frequent the area around the manhole, it could not be seen. Grills of a window had to be break open to gain access to the manhole.
“The manhole, which is besides the Superintendent’s chamber, was left uncovered. Identity of the person is not known and investigation is on,” said Chilkalguda SI Umesh Kathroju.
“It is Telangana State Medical Services and Infrastructure Development Corporation (TSMIDC) which maintains all the manholes here,” said Dr SV Masood, deputy superintendent of Gandhi Hospital.