New Delhi, July 10 -- Two daily wage workers died at a private hospital in west Delhi's Paschim Vihar on Tuesday evening, allegedly after inhaling toxic fumes while cleaning a sewage treatment plant (STP) tank on the hospital premises, police said on Wednesday. The deceased - Brijesh, 26, and Vikram, 38, both from Uttar Pradesh's Hardoi district - were employed by a private firm that had the annual maintenance contract (AMC) for the STP at Sri Balaji Action Hospital, according to the police. Senior officers said the labourers were provided only blue disposable masks and no other protective or life-saving equipment. The incident occurred around 6.30pm on Tuesday. A case under Section 106 of the BNS for death by negligence, and Section 9 of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, has been registered at Paschim Vihar East police station. DCP (outer) Sachin Sharma said action was taken following the medico-legal reports from the hospital. "The workers were declared dead by the attending doctor. Initial probe revealed that both had lost consciousness while engaged in the maintenance of a carbon filter. The work was being undertaken by the AMC contractor," Sharma said. Though the FIR does not name any suspects, a senior police officer said investigations will cover the hospital administration, the private firm, and its supervisors. "Those found responsible for the negligence that led to the deaths will be prosecuted as per law," the officer said, requesting anonymity. Under the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013, the manual cleaning of sewers, septic tanks or STPs without protective gear and proper safety measures is strictly prohibited. The law holds employers - including contractors and institutions - criminally liable in case of hazardous cleaning-related deaths, with provisions for imprisonment and fines. Despite the ban, such incidents continue to occur across the country, often due to lax enforcement. Dr Sunil Sumbli, medical superintendent and head of medical services at Action Balaji Hospital, declined to comment on the matter....