A park visit that turned fatal: 7-year-old drowns in DDA pond in Rohini; family waits for answers, accountability a year on

NEW DELHI: A routine visit with his friends to a Delhi Development Authority park in Rohini on Aug 10, 2024, ended in seven-yearold Tarun drowning in a pond brimming with rainwater. By the time police rushed to the spot, the boy had been taken to hospital where he was declared dead.His devastated family members have since been searching for answers and seeking accountability, determined to fathom whose negligence led to their tragic loss. However, to this day, they don’t know who was culpable.Tarun left behind his father, Pravesh; mother Dipali; an elder sister and a younger brother. The family had moved from Uttar Pradesh's Aligarh to the capital five years ago, seeking better educational opportunities for the kids and a more secure livelihood. “They came here hoping for a good life, but the tragedy put paid to that,” Jaswant Singh, a family member, says. “Tarun was lively, bright and full of energy. He had a beautiful and curious mind.”Singh feels the death could have been avoided had adequate safeguards been in place in the park. “It was down to negligence on behalf of authorities. Proper barricades and warning signs as well as the presence of a guard leading to the pond could have prevented the drowning.”However, the Authority disputed this version. In a statement issued after the incident that occurred at Chhat ghat inside the 12-acre district park adjoining Aman Vihar resettlement colony, it said the waterbody with an average depth of three-and-a-half feet had been fenced off by a grill.It claimed a guard present there had warned “seven to eight children who were playing in the park to keep off the pond”, which was full of water following heavy showers. Despite that, they ventured into the area. When Tarun fell into the water, the guard fished him out and took him to hospital, the Authority claimed.Police inspected the spot, before examining witnesses, Tarun’s parents and those who took him to hospital and recorded their statements. There were no warning signs near the waterbody, a senior police officer said, adding that a case under Section 106(1) of BNS, concerning death due to negligence, had been registered.Notices were served to the Authority’s horticulture department, responsible for maintaining green spaces, and replies received, the cop said. Further probe to fix accountability is ongoing. “Once those responsible are identified, a charge sheet will be filed and legal action taken,” he said.Until then, the family, which is yet to receive compensation, is hoping and praying that justice for Tarun is not far away.