Bengaluru: Four migrant workers from Assam were found dead inside a labour shed in Muthsandra village of Hoskote taluk, on the outskirts of Bengaluru, in what police have described as an unexplained incident pending further investigation.
The deceased, all aged between 20 and 25, were employed at a soft drinks warehouse run by a private company and were residing in a shed located close to their workplace.
They have been identified as Jayant Sindhe (25), Neerendranath (24), Doctor Tide (25) and Dhananjay Tide (20).
The incident came to light on Saturday morning when the men failed to report for duty.
Concerned co-workers went to the shed to check on them and found them unresponsive, following which the police were alerted.
Personnel from Sulibele police station rushed to the spot and found all four lying unconscious inside the locked room. They were declared dead at the scene.
Preliminary findings suggest the possibility of suffocation.
According to investigators, the workers had reportedly cooked food inside the shed late on Friday night after closing all doors and windows, raising concerns about inadequate ventilation.
However, police said no conclusion has been drawn yet and other possibilities are being examined.
“The doors and windows were shut, and there are indications of suffocation while cooking inside the room. That said, we are keeping all angles open until the post-mortem and forensic reports are received,” a senior police officer said.
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Senior officials later visited the site, secured the premises and collected material evidence.
The deaths have sparked concern among migrant labourers working in nearby industrial areas, with labour activists and local residents highlighting poor living conditions in many contract labour accommodations.
They pointed out that several such sheds lack basic safety measures, including proper ventilation.
The bodies have been sent to a government hospital for post-mortem examinations.
Police are recording statements from co-workers, contractors and warehouse management as part of the probe.
An Unnatural Death Report has been registered, and investigators are examining whether negligence by the employer or contractor contributed to the unsafe living conditions.
