Sunday 1 December 2013

Gaurav isn’t the first, let’s ensure he is the last!



Following our last post, and the TOI article reporting Gaurav’s accident, there has been a lot more awareness about and interest in his story. Besides the support that continues to pour in, there have also been comments that make light of; poke fun at, but most worryingly disparage Gaurav and his family. Those who know Gaurav need no explanation, and neither do we feel it is necessary for us to go out there and defend his reputation by responding to every comment. Anyone who has any question about him merely needs to read the comments of his friends, family and acquaintances. 

There is one more fact that we would like to share which can help people understand Hyatt’s attitude towards safety and security. And that is that Gaurav is the 4th victim (of those that were reported in the media – there may be other unreported ones) of Hyatt Regency’s apathy and negligence. 
A quick google search on Hyatt Regency using the keywords Hyatt Regency New Delhi + accidents or Hyatt Regency New Delhi + death turns up a few results of incidents where a guest has been gravely hurt, or lives have been lost under mysterious circumstances, raising questions about the safety and security measures followed by the hotel. In each incident however, the Hyatt Regency has had to bear no accountability, and the victim or someone else has taken the fall.

In March 2002, the daughter in law of a prominent Indian politician was found dead in the hotel. One media report states that the initial investigation done by the police mentioned three gunshot wounds as the cause of death, but by the next day, the cause of death had strangely become suicide under the influence of drugs / alcohol. Another goes on to say that an empty bottle of whisky was found on the terrace of the hotel from where she jumped. This happened in the middle of the night. The rumor is that her estranged husband was behind her murder, but because her family did not file a police complaint, the suicide theory was never questioned. Let’s say murder was not committed and it was suicide, why was the terrace open at that time for just anyone to walk up? How is it that in a busy hotel like Hyatt no one noticed an apparently suicidal woman walk all the way up to the terrace with a bottle of alcohol in her hand?

In September 2005, a 30 something woman from Nagaland in India, went for a swim in the hotel pool. She was apparently a confident swimmer, but according to reports ‘sank’ after having a heavy non-vegetarian breakfast, went into a coma, and was admitted to the Indian Spinal Injuries Centre at Vasant Kunj. A doctor states on record that her ‘sinking’ happened due to medical reasons related to her breakfast. A lifeguard was apparently present and tried to resuscitate the victim, but was not successful. The media report states that the lobby manager denied that the incident even took place at the hotel, and that the police didn’t file a complaint since the victim was unfit for statement. The story also speculates that she was under the influence of drugs. How convenient for the Hyatt Regency.
In December 2009 a 21 year old window cleaner fell to his death while he was on the job. The cleaner was not wearing safety gear when this happened and while no questions were raised about the employee safety practices of the Hyatt, a criminal case of negligence was apparently filed against the contract cleaning agency instead! At the time the PR head at Hyatt Regency was quoted saying ‘We have been told by the police that he fell from the first floor.” An employee of theirs – even if it was a contract employee – fell to his death while at work, and they didn’t even know which floor he fell from?

2002, 2005, 2009, 2013 …there’s a pattern here. We hope something is done soon, before we hear of another case like this 3-4 years from now.

You can save a life.. Just spread the word. 

23 comments:

  1. Very shocking, is obvious safety of their guests and workers are not on their priority list and blaming the victims is just appalling. .

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  2. This is correct,I too have heard of these mysterious deaths happening at the Hyatt before.thank you gauravs family for your bravery in coming forward and creating awareness,God knows how many lives you are potentially saving.
    And for those of you leaving insensitive remarks, ask yourself what if this was you or your loved one???

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  3. #hyatt international... Connect the dots!

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  4. Shameful!! No accountability #hyatt at all...always someone else's fault? #boycott #hyatt

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  5. shocking... clearly blatant abuse of power and corruption has allowed Hyatt to get away each time before... but this cannot continue... not anymore we cant allow hyatt to get away .. its time an example is made of hyatt they are not above the law..

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  6. This is not done. Are human lives of no value??? A mistake repeated is a habit and complete negligence of responsibility and duty. Hyaat should own up and be punished for their wrongdoing.I hope wish and pray that none of this ever happens with anyone or their loved ones. more power to Gaurav and his family

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  7. this is very sad and disgusting..who is taking charge of all this.where is police and law, what are they doing..???

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  8. Hyatt needs to take ownership , being in prime location lack of medical facility , in- house doctors .. nothing adds up...

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  9. How cheap a human life is for these guys..... height of negligence ....

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  10. Hyatt must pay for all medical expenses and the collaterals. This is sickening....

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  11. As always money and power talk and a regular person cant even walk....will the police make any arrests ??

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  12. This is just not accepted from a well known hospitality chain. Lets raise a voice through this medium and make sure that Gaurav is the last. #gauravisthelast #boycatt #hyatt

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  13. Hyatt has to be pay for this!

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  14. Besides acknowledging their negligence and uncallous approach towards this incident, they need to pay for the damages, treatment and harrassment.....the physical and mental torture of the victim and the concerned family. And also sue these inhuman people.....being a big chain of hotels doesn't give them privilage of getting away with all this indecent behaviour....!!!

    We all must stand up and fight for this so noone takes a common man for granted !!

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  15. Its sad Hyatt has still not responded....Taj Group on the other hand is already feeling sorry on behalf of the hospitality industry....Taj kudos to your support....just to site a small example of TAJ Hospitality in view with HYATT UNRESPONSIVENESS...it was karvachauth and i was on an event in mumbai...i had to see the moon( to break my fast) so i requested TAJ security to let me go to the terrace..they obviously refused but after a lot of persistence they agreed and guess what a gaurd was walking like my shadow so i dont stumble and fall ...and hurt my self...stumble and fall....on a terrace that was well maintained and not a thing out of place....unlike HYATT their executive lounge terrace ( prestigious for most) filled with construction material , no light, no camera....WAKE UP HYATT and smell the coffee..

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  16. 4th incident! How many more are needed to take corrective action? It seems Gauravv might have been the lucky one out of the four!

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  17. Shocking enough to have seen the way this incident is being handled, rather the very lack of it, by Hyatt. And they actually have an array of such incidents in the past - all mysterious enough! This sure is a pattern, and about time we put it to a stop!

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  18. I'm sure there are more... These are just the ones that made it it the media or are turning up in search results.

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  19. The fact the Hyatt have still not responded is ridiculous.

    All that Gaurav and his family are going through could have been averted if the hotel would have followed basic safety rules by either denying access to a dangerous, low lit, under construction smoking area or by making sure it was well lit with cautions signs all over the place.

    Hyatt needs to step up and take full responsibility for the incident. They should start by paying for all expenses incurred by Gaurav's family for the treatment which he is undergoing due to their damn negligence.

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  20. The hotel is clearly responsible - in tort as well as in criminal law. This must be taken to its logical conclusion.

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  21. This is just so thoroughly upsetting.....gets one to think that how could the hotel staff...who so graciously smile the supposed warm and welcoming smile every time they see you.....can be so very cold hearted. Gaurav lay down there breathing and struggling with his injuries and the so called well equipped and well trained staff couldn't even call the right ambulance!!!! and this is not the first time it has happened???? how do these people sleep at night?

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  22. Am not a big vastu believer, but lately events have made me a convert. Find out if hyat is south or west or south west facing? In such cases such events are likely to continue

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  23. It is a pity that people die at the workplace everyday. Who is to blame? Is it the company's fault to give training to their employee or is the fault of the employees who don't know how to work safely, whatever is the reason, company should hire health and safety consultants to improve the working condition in the companies.

    Regards,
    Arnold Brame

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