India, Aug. 17 -- The Nigdi police have lodged an accidental death case (AD) after three Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) contract employees died of suspected suffocation while carrying out underground maintenance work in the Pradhikaran area of Nigdi on Friday afternoon. Investigations are underway to determine cause and any potential lapses in safety protocols, said officials.

According to the police, the workers, who had entered the roadside BSNL optic fibre duct chamber filled with 2.5 to 3 feet of stagnant water near Nirmal Villa, Plot No. 64, Sector 27/A in Nigdi Pradhikaran, reportedly died after inhaling toxic fumes, at around 3pm on Friday.

The deceased have been identified as Lakhan Asruba Dhavare, 35, and Dattatray Vijayku...