Patna: A two-and-a-half-year-old girl has died after falling into an uncovered drain in a village on the outskirts of Patna, prompting allegations of negligence and renewed concerns over open sewerage infrastructure in the area.
The child, identified as Riya Kumari, went missing on Wednesday afternoon in Sarasat village under the Naubatpur police station limits. According to her family, she had been taken to a local Anganwadi centre around noon and was later allowed to return home unaccompanied.
Her father, Rakesh Kumar, said the Anganwadi worker had collected his daughter from their home earlier in the day. “After school was over, she left her alone to return home. While returning, she fell into an open drain,” he alleged.
When the girl did not return home, family members began searching the village and alerted the police. During the search, relatives checked an uncovered manhole in a village drain and found her school bag floating in the water. The drain was later pumped out using a motor, and the child’s body was recovered.
Residents claimed that the drain had a cover but that it had not been properly secured. Lavkush Kumar, a villager, said the accident could have been avoided. “The manhole cover is available, but it was not put in place. Had the Anganwadi worker safely escorted the girl home, this tragedy might not have happened,” he said.
Police from Naubatpur station reached the spot after being informed and took the body into custody. An investigation has been launched.
Manjeet Thakur, the station house officer of Naubatpur police station, said officers were examining all aspects of the case. “A three-year-old girl has drowned in a drain. Police are investigating the matter,” he said.
The incident has left Sarasat village in mourning, with residents demanding accountability and immediate action to cover open drains to prevent similar tragedies.
