Cops on lookout for directors of STP where 2 die after inhaling toxic gases

The police are on the lookout for two directors of a company in-charge of maintaining the sewage treatment plant of a five-star hotel near Khan Market here in connection with the death of two men allegedly after inhaling toxic gases at the plant.

In a statement, the Vivanta Ambassador hotel denied it practice manual scavenging and said they follow all guidelines set by the authorities.

Two men -- Vikram and Ravindra -- allegedly inhaled toxic gases after they were trapped inside the sewage treatment plant, and died yesterday. The incident was reported on April 29. The sewage treatment plant of the hotel is located in the adjoining building and that was where the incident took place.

Five men were trapped inside the plant and inhaled poisonous gases. They were not wearing safety gear, the police had said. While two men died, three others are undergoing treatment.

They said the two directors of Eco Pollutech Engineers company, that was responsible of the maintenance of the plant, are on the run and their phones are switched off. Police are looking for them. They were called for questioning earlier but did not come, they said.

One of the three injured persons was also declared fit for recording statement today and gave his version to the police, they said.

Police said it has emerged during investigation that the five men had not anticipated that there would be toxic gases inside the plant and despite having safety gear, they did not wear it.

When Ravindra got trapped inside the plant, it was thought that he had been electrocuted and the electricity supply to the plant was cut off. The others followed him inside the plant to rescue him but ended up getting trapped themselves, said an officer privy to the probe.

Meanwhile, in a statement, the hotel said, "Vivanta Ambassador strongly denies the practice of manual scavenging. We have installed Sewage Treatment Plant, duly approved by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee, which is the governing and monitoring body appointed by the government."