Punjab biker dies after falling into 20ft construction pit; wallet, phone stolen

JALANDHAR: A 25-year-old youth lost his life late Sunday night after his motorcycle fell into an unmarked 20-foot-deep construction pit in Punjab's Jalandhar district, in an incident echoing the recent ditch deaths in New Delhi and Noida.

The victim, identified as Abhishek of Phillaur, was found early Monday morning at the bottom of the excavation site on the Jalandhar–Jandu Singha road near Kangniwal village.

A local shopkeeper, Tinku, raised the alarm at 5am after spotting the wreckage and the body. One of the victim's eyes had been pierced by a protruding iron reinforcement bar.

Nearby shopkeepers said labourers at the site heard a crash after 11pm but failed to investigate, presuming the rider had managed to climb out. The construction firm has denied that any workers were present, claiming only equipment was stored on-site.

The bridge — being built on a culvert — is a project of the state public works department.

While construction company representative Raj Kumar maintained that earth mounds and reflective tape were in place, locals said that the site was a death trap at night due to a lack of ambient lighting or glowing warning signs visible from a distance.

Jalandhar rural police ASI Jasbir Singh said an inquest report under Section 194 has been registered.

However, questions remain regarding the victim's missing mobile phone and wallet, which were not found at the scene despite his earphones being recovered.