In a horrific incident in Jaipur, four sanitation workers died of suffocation after being sent into a jewellery shop’s septic tank without any safety gear.

They were assigned to retrieve sludge containing gold and silver particles, a common practice where washing residue is chemically processed to extract precious metals. Despite initial hesitation due to the scorching heat, the workers agreed after being promised extra pay by the shop's CEO Vikas Mehta and director Arun Kothari, according to police.

Of the eight workers who entered the tank, four died, two remain hospitalized, and two have been discharged. Police confirmed no safety equipment was provided.

Authorities are investigating the legality of gold storage methods and the lack of safety measures. Former CM Ashok Gehlot slammed the government’s repeated failure to protect sanitation workers, despite repeated deaths across Rajasthan.