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2 min readThiruvananthapuramUpdated: Feb 17, 2026 05:36 PM IST
Police said a case has been registered in connection with the mishap and that they are looking into the officials' laxity in leaving the pit, dug for drainage, uncovered for the last several months.
A 27-year-old youth in Kerala died after his bike fell into an uncovered drainage pit at Thodupuzha in Idukki on Monday night. The death sparked protests seeking action.
The victim, Jeys Benny, a native of Muthalakodam near Thodupuzha, was scheduled to leave for a job abroad on Wednesday. CCTV visuals showed the youth’s bike falling into the pit from the carriageway of the road.
Police said a case has been registered in connection with the mishap and that they are looking into the officials’ laxity in leaving the pit, dug for drainage, uncovered for the last several months.
Outraged over the death of the youth, locals led by Congress laid siege to the office of the state Public Works Department at Thodupuzha. Seeking action against the erring officials and adequate compensation for the family of the youth, they alleged that similar accidents had occurred at the same location in the past. Police later removed the agitators from the office.
Retired High Court judge Kemal Pasha told a TV channel that the PWD did not even erect a warning board. “This is a death trap laid by the PWD officials. A criminal case should be registered against them. Local people had alerted the officials about the death trap. But the officials did not bother to cover the pit. The family of the youth should be given compensation,” he alleged.
Public Works Minister P A Muhammed Riyas said action will be taken if officials of the department are found guilty of leaving the pit open, posing a threat to motorists.
Shaju Philip is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, where he leads the publication's coverage from Kerala. With over 25 years of experience in mainstream journalism, he is one of the most authoritative voices on the socio-political, religious, and developmental landscape of South India. Expertise, Experience, and Authority Decades of Regional Specialization: Shaju has spent more than two decades documenting the "Kerala Model" of development, its complex communal dynamics, and its high-stakes political environment. Key Coverage Beats: His extensive reporting portfolio includes: Political & Governance Analysis: In-depth tracking of the LDF and UDF coalitions, the growth of the BJP in the state, and the intricate workings of the Kerala administration. Crime & Investigative Journalism: Noted for his coverage of high-profile cases such as the gold smuggling probe, political killings, and the state’s counter-terrorism efforts regarding radicalization modules. Crisis Management: He has led ground-level reporting during major regional crises, including the devastating 2018 floods, the Nipah virus outbreaks, and the Covid-19 pandemic response. ... Read More
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