Boy's Electrocution At Kalkaji Park Exposes Safety Lapses, Sparks Fear

Time of India

26-05-2025

New Delhi: A park in Kalkaji, which was once a safe and popular place for children to play, has become a source of fear after a tragic incident. A nine-year-old boy was electrocuted while playing there on Friday evening, leaving the neighbourhood shocked and grieving.
The park wore a deserted look this weekend.
"This park is visited by 20 to 25 children every day. It's a popular spot for kids in the area to gather, play and enjoy themselves," said Ankit, a longtime resident of Kalkaji. "To think that such an accident could have happened to any one of them is terrifying. The negligence that led to this unfortunate incident has cost the life of a young child, and it's heartbreaking for all of us in the area."
On Monday, TOI visited the park and found two streetlight electrical boxes, one left open with exposed wires and another unsecured on a nearby pole—both serious hazards. Near the wiring, a pair of sandals believed to belong to the boy was found, though this wasn't confirmed.
Jitender Rathore, from the local residents' welfare association, said that after the incident, officials from various departments arrived to address the defects in the park.
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"A few days ago, a woman reported that her son had received an electric shock. These parks need to be properly maintained," he asserted.
The woman confirmed the incident. She had even shared pictures of exposed electrical wires in their society's group chat to raise awareness about the issue.
The boy's father, Randeep Kumar, a yoga instructor, expressed deep sorrow. "We have lived here for four years in the flat close to the park, and my son often played in the park.
On that day, he went to fetch his ball when the tragedy happened," Kumar said. "He was a bright, caring child. I don't want anyone else to suffer like this."
Aryaman was a fifth grader at a reputed school.
The trauma affects more than Aryaman's family. Residents said children who witnessed the event were deeply shocked.
Kulvinder Saini's 18-year-old daughter was present at the time of the incident and left frightened.
Saini recalled that when consoling Aryaman's mother, a woman mentioned she had received an electric shock in the park years ago but no action was taken.
On the incident day, the locals helped evacuate children despite risks. Residents claimed that the shock came from an electrical pole, which was now being investigated. They demanded action against those responsible for the negligence which led to the tragedy.
Delhi Police said they would take action following an electrical inspection.
A BSES official said that a joint site inspection was conducted by the electrical inspector, along with officials from Delhi Police, MCD and BSES, to investigate the incident.
"During the inspection, a resident of the area, who rescued the boy, gave her statement to the team. She explained that the boy received the electric shock from the iron streetlight steel pole and was stuck to it," the BSES official said. The woman also said that the feeder pillar was properly closed and not involved, the official claimed.
The electrical inspector tested the pole in front of the team and confirmed that a full current was flowing through it. The BSES employee claimed that the pole belonged to MCD.
However, an MCD official said that upon inspection by its officials, it was found that the said electrical panel belonged to BSES. It was probably supplying electricity to adjacent residential buildings. "This panel is not under the jurisdiction or maintenance of MCD, and is not connected to any park," the official added.