Meghalaya Police have registered a criminal case against the owner and contractor of an apartment in Lapalang following the death of five men who allegedly inhaled carbon monoxide inside a narrow well. Investigators are examining whether negligence and lapses in safety measures contributed to the tragedy.
East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem said on Monday that a case has been registered under Section 106(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for causing death by negligence, along with relevant provisions of the Disaster Management Act.
The apartment owner, K. Hinge, and contractor, M. Beena, were summoned under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and questioned by police. Their statements have been recorded, and notices have been served, although neither has been arrested.
Police are awaiting reports from the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board and the Water Resources Department to determine whether the owner and contractor failed to ensure adequate safety measures. Officials from both departments have already inspected the site, and further legal action will depend on their findings. The investigation is also looking into whether proper rescue protocols and workplace safety norms were followed before the victims entered the well.
Meanwhile, Shillong continues to mourn the loss of Sunil Thakuri and Umesh Thakuri, two brothers who died while attempting to rescue those trapped inside the well. They were not workers at the site and had no official responsibility to carry out the rescue. Despite the danger, they entered the well in an effort to save others and lost their lives in the process.
Their father, Jitu Thakuri, described the loss of both sons as the greatest tragedy of his life but said he was proud that they chose humanity over fear. The family, which now follows Christianity, said the brothers’ actions reflected their faith and belief in helping others without expecting anything in return.
The deaths have left the family in severe financial distress as Sunil and Umesh were the primary breadwinners. Their younger brother, Kumar Thakuri, has returned from Kerala to take care of their ageing parents. Sunil is survived by his two children, 10-year-old Sakshi and six-year-old Avinash, whose mother is no longer part of their lives.
Support has started coming from different organisations. The Meghalaya Paragliding Association has pledged to take care of Sunil’s two children until they attain adulthood by supporting their education, healthcare and other essential needs. Hillcrest School has also assured that Avinash will receive free education up to Class XII.
The Meghalaya Linguistic Minority Development Forum and the Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh have appealed to the state government to provide immediate ex gratia assistance, pensions, educational support and a comprehensive rehabilitation package for the bereaved families, particularly in recognition of the Thakuri brothers’ sacrifice. They urged the authorities not to delay compensation until the completion of legal proceedings.