Lift Malfunction Kills Deaf Swiggy Employee; Justice Efforts Continue
After Deaf worker Noufal tragically died in a lift accident at a Swiggy loading dock, the Dakshina Kannada District Deaf Association and disability rights advocate Charan Kumar stepped in to seek just
In May 2026, a Deaf man named Noufal tragically lost his life in a lift accident while working at a Swiggy loading dock.
According to reports, Noufal entered a lift with an iron grill shutter after loading goods. As the lift was moving downward, it suddenly stopped midway. His hearing colleagues noticed the issue and tried to help by opening the shutter. However, the lift unexpectedly came loose and dropped, causing fatal injuries. Noufal was rushed to a hospital but was declared dead.
As news of the incident spread on social media, many people were initially unsure whether the victim was Deaf or hearing. It was later confirmed that the victim was Noufal, a Deaf man from the Muslim community.
The incident prompted the Dakshina Kannada District Deaf Association, Mangalore, to step in and support the family. Although Noufal was not a member of the association and many members did not know him personally, they felt a responsibility to help because he was part of the Deaf community.
The association's Vice President Gagan M. Prabhu and General Secretary Chethan Bekal sought assistance from disability rights advocate Charan Kumar TC. Charan travelled hundreds of kilometres, prepared documents, gathered evidence, and submitted a representation to the district authorities.
The team demanded a thorough investigation into the accident, questioned whether the lift had been properly inspected, and requested compensation for Noufal's family, who depended on him for their livelihood.
After reviewing the case, district authorities agreed to begin the compensation process. Charan has also appealed to the Karnataka government and other authorities to provide additional financial support for the family.
While the compensation process may take time, the efforts of the Deaf Association and Charan Kumar have been widely appreciated. Their willingness to support a family they had never met highlights the strength and solidarity of the Deaf community.
