India, March 31 -- A 33-year-old worker died while cleaning a drain in Seemapuri on Monday, with police saying the work was being carried out under the public works department (PWD) and the agency refuting the claim. Locals also told police that two workers were de-silting the drain without any safety gear on.

Senior officers said the incident took place at Pocket Q in Dilshad Garden, where the deceased Rahul Pal and his friend Rajdhan were deployed to clean the drain, which is reportedly under the jurisdiction of the PWD.

Police said they were alerted about the drowning around 3pm on Monday and that the two workers were hired by the PWD.

The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013, clearly man...