NEW DELHI, Sept. 18 -- A 35-year-old daily wage labourer died, and two others were critically injured as they fainted upon entering a sewer to lay pipes in Ashok Vihar, northwest Delhi on Tuesday night, police said. Survivors alleged that they were not provided any safety gear for the work allotted by a contractor of the Delhi Jal Board (DJB). Police said the victims inhaled poisonous gases inside the manhole, leading to the death of one of them, though autopsy reports are awaited for confirmation. A case has been registered under provisions of causing death by negligence and endangering life of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and under sections of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act at Ashok Vihar police station. The DJB did not comment on the matter. The contractor was identified as Brijgopal Construction Company. "A crime team inspected the site, and the manager of Brijgopal Construction Company, which has been carrying out the cleaning work, has been called for questioning," deputy commissioner of police (north west) Bhisham Singh said. Police identified the deceased as Arvind Kumar, 35, and the critically injured as Sonu Kumar, 40, and Naresh Kumar, 35. A fourth worker, Narayan Kumar, 31, was discharged after first aid. Police said they received a call around 11.30pm about four men falling into a sewer near Harihar Apartments, where work has been underway for days. The men were rushed to Deep Chand Bandhu Hospital, where Arvind was declared dead. Sonu and Naresh remain in the ICU, while Narayan was discharged. Narayan told HT that they were hired directly by the company for night work in a 10-foot-deep manhole. "Arvind went first and collapsed immediately. Within minutes, Sonu went to save him but collapsed too. I tried to go but came back. Naresh went next and also fainted. The whole incident took place in seven to eight minutes," Narayan added. A passerby then entered with a rope, covering his face with cloth, and helped pull the three out. Narayan added they were given no safety gear. "We have been working for DJB contractors for years. Most provide belts, oxygen cylinders, helmets and uniforms, but this company didn't give anything," he said. Arvind's wife, Nisha, 28, said he agreed to work that night for Rs.2,000 because their sons' school and tuition fees were unpaid. "Arvind had agreed just for the children, and now they are left without a father," she added....