Tragic Discovery of Missing 7-Year-Old Boy in Delhi Drain Raises Safety Alarms

A seven-year-old boy named Prince went missing in northwest Delhi's Ashok Vihar. Hours later, his body was discovered in an open drain. His mother alleged on Monday that the lack of proper toilet facilities in their area led to his death, as he would often go to the drain to relieve himself.

Police reported that Prince was playing near his home on Sunday afternoon when he disappeared. They registered an FIR under sections of negligence on Monday. The family claimed that the open drain was a hazard and contributed to their son's death.

Search and Discovery

Deputy Commissioner of Police northwest Jitendra Meena stated that the family filed a missing persons complaint on Sunday. During the search, someone informed the police that Prince had been seen playing near an uncovered drain. His body was recovered from the drain on Sunday evening.

The police handed over Prince's body to his family after conducting a postmortem. An FIR has been registered at Wazirpur Police Station against unnamed individuals under sections related to negligence.

Family's Plight

Prince's parents, who are labourers, and his younger brother live in the JJ cluster of A Block in Wazirpur Industrial area. Prince was a class two student at a government school. The family blamed civic authorities for their son's death, citing the open drain as a significant risk.

His mother expressed her grief to the media, stating that her son frequently went to relieve himself near the drain due to the absence of proper toilet facilities in their locality.

Police Investigation

The police revealed that it was a five-feet-deep drain and divers were needed to retrieve Prince's body. They are also investigating whether Prince fell into the drain accidentally or if someone pushed him.

Prince's tragic death highlights the urgent need for better sanitation facilities in the area. The community is calling for immediate action to prevent such incidents from happening again.