Noida: Police have stepped up their probe into the deaths of two men inside a sewage treatment plant (STP) tank at a Greater Noida housing society, questioning eyewitnesses, society staff and others to determine whether mandatory safety protocols were ignored before they entered.The focus of the investigation has shifted to whether protective equipment, gas detection tests and other precautions required for confined-space cleaning were in place before contractual sanitation worker Shashikant Sharma (40) entered the tank at Eldeco Society in Sector 150. Police are also examining the circumstances that led security guard Akash Singh (22) to descend into the tank in an attempt to rescue him.The incident took place around 2.30am on Sunday. Police suspect Shashikant lost consciousness after inhaling toxic gases inside the STP tank. Akash, who entered to save him, was also overcome by the fumes. Fire personnel later pulled both men out, but doctors declared them dead.Following complaints by their families, police registered an FIR against the maintenance agency’s manager, an unidentified contractor and other unidentified persons under BNS sections relating to causing death by negligence and endangering life. Four persons detained on Sunday continue to be questioned.On Monday, officers recorded statements of eyewitnesses and society employees to reconstruct the sequence of events. They are seeking to establish who authorised the cleaning work, whether safety checks were carried out beforehand and if the workers were provided protective gear before entering the hazardous enclosure.Sources said discussions were also underway between the victims’ families and representatives of the maintenance agency and contractor over compensation, though there was no official confirmation of any settlement.Knowledge Park SHO Vinod Kumar said the probe was continuing and that police would reach conclusions only after examining all evidence and witness statements.
