BENGALURU: Four young men from Assam were found dead inside a rented shed on the outskirts of Bengaluru, prompting police to launch an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident. Preliminary findings suggest the deaths may have been caused by accidental asphyxiation due to toxic fumes accumulating inside the poorly ventilated accommodation.
The victims, all in their early twenties and natives of Assam’s Lakhimpur district, were identified as Jayant Sindhe, Nirendranath Taid, Doctor Taid and Dhananjay Taid. They were employed as contractual labourers at a private warehouse facility in the Hoskote area of Bengaluru Rural district and had been residing together in a small shed at Mutsandra village near Sulibele.
Police officials said the incident came to light when the four men failed to report for work on Saturday morning. Concerned co-workers went to check on them and, after receiving no response, forced open the door of the shed. The men were found lying unconscious inside and were declared dead at the spot.
Initial investigation points to the possibility of carbon monoxide poisoning. Officers said the shed was tightly sealed, with doors and windows shut, and lacked proper ventilation. It is suspected that the men may have cooked food late at night using a gas stove or similar heating source and closed all openings to keep warm, leading to a build-up of toxic gases while they slept.
A senior police officer involved in the probe said carbon monoxide is a colourless and odourless gas, making it particularly dangerous as victims often lose consciousness without realising the risk. “The room was completely airtight. In such conditions, even routine cooking can become fatal if there is no ventilation,” the officer said.
The bodies were shifted to a government hospital for post-mortem examination to ascertain the exact cause of death. The Sulibele Police have registered a case of unnatural death, and forensic experts are examining whether any additional factors contributed to the tragedy.
Police sources said the four men belonged to the Mising community and that at least two of them were related. Their sudden deaths have sent shockwaves through their families and the migrant worker community in the area. Authorities in Assam have been informed, and family members are expected to travel to Bengaluru to complete formalities.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed grief over the incident and said the state government was coordinating with authorities in Karnataka to ensure that the bodies are returned to Assam with dignity. He also sought a detailed inquiry into the incident so that the families receive clarity on how the deaths occurred.
Officials said the Assam government’s existing scheme for transporting the bodies of residents who die outside the state would be used to facilitate the return of the mortal remains to their native villages.
The incident has once again highlighted concerns over the living conditions of migrant workers in major urban centres. Many workers, especially those employed on short-term or informal contracts, live in makeshift or overcrowded accommodations that lack basic safety features such as adequate ventilation, fire safety measures and proper sanitation.
Labour rights advocates said the tragedy underscores the need for stricter enforcement of housing standards for migrant workers and greater awareness about indoor safety hazards. They also called on employers and local administrations to regularly inspect worker accommodations to prevent such incidents.
Police said statements are being recorded from co-workers, local residents and the property owner as part of the investigation. Further clarity is expected once the post-mortem and forensic reports are received.
As the probe continues, officials said the case serves as a grim reminder of the risks faced by migrant workers living far from home and the importance of ensuring safe living conditions to prevent avoidable loss of life.
