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 4^th 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.