Greater Noida : Social worker Manish Dawar has alleged that a man named Anurag Bhati verbally abused him and threatened to kill him following a dispute over garbage disposal and cleanliness in Alpha-1, Greater Noida. According to Dawar, the incident took place on October 16, when he intervened after a sanitation worker raised concerns about garbage containing a large number of insects.
Dawar has sought police intervention and protection for himself and his family, claiming that he possesses video footage and call recordings related to the incident. The allegations have not been independently verified, and the accused person’s version was not available at the time of writing.
What happened in Alpha-1?
According to Dawar, the incident began at around 8:39 am on October 16, when he was returning after dropping his daughter at school and heading towards Ashok Vatika. A sanitation worker named Lalit reportedly stopped him and told him the garbage contained a large number of insects (VISIBLE IN VIDEO FOOTAGE)
Dawar said he recorded a video of the garbage and then returned to his vehicle. During the same incident, an elderly woman, reportedly a resident of B-137, came outside. Dawar claimed that he requested her to ensure that household waste was handed over to the sanitation worker through the designated collection system.
He said his intention was to prevent sanitation workers from being exposed to unhygienic conditions and potential health risks. Dawar also reportedly informed the woman that action was being taken against people who disposed of garbage improperly and that officials from the concerned authority could visit the sector to issue challans.
According to Dawar, the woman responded that the garbage belonged to her tenants and that she would speak to them.
Alleged abuse and threats over a phone call
Dawar alleged that at around 8:48 am, he received a call from sanitation worker Lalit’s mobile phone. The worker reportedly informed him that some people were verbally abusing both him and Dawar.
Dawar said he subsequently spoke to the person concerned, whom he identified as Anurag Bhati. According to his account, Bhati allegedly used abusive language, questioned him about recording the video and threatened him. Dawar further alleged that the caller claimed to be the nephew of Pappu Pradhan of Mycha.
Dawar said he attempted to de-escalate the conversation and requested that the other person speak respectfully. However, he alleged that the verbal abuse and threats continued.
Further confrontation reported near Dawar’s residence
According to Dawar, he was at the residence of Gajendra Sharma, senior vice-president of the Alpha-1 Residents Welfare Association (RWA), at the time of the subsequent developments. He later left with Sharma and was travelling towards his home when another confrontation allegedly took place near his residence.
Dawar claimed that Bhati approached him after he stopped the vehicle and resumed verbally abusing him. He alleged that the man threatened to slap him, said he was not afraid of the police and threatened to kill him.
Dawar also claimed that he was told to leave the sector and was subjected to objectionable remarks concerning his organisation and social activities.
According to the complainant, he repeatedly requested that the matter be resolved peacefully and that derogatory remarks involving family members be avoided.
Gajendra Sharma was reportedly present during the confrontation and attempted to intervene. Dawar alleged that the man continued the verbal abuse before leaving the spot in his vehicle.
Contact with Pappu Pradhan and police helpline
Dawar said that following the incident, he contacted Pappu Pradhan of Mycha and informed him about the alleged threats. According to Dawar, Pradhan denied knowing the person concerned and said his name might have been used without authorisation. Dawar said he was advised to pursue the matter through legal channels.
He further stated that he contacted the police emergency helpline 112 at around 2:12 pm on October 16 to report the incident.
Dawar claimed that he also showed and played the available video footage and call recordings to police officials. He subsequently submitted a written complaint seeking protection for himself and his family.
According to Dawar, police conducted two searches at night, but the person he accused had not been located at the time of his statement. The police version, the status of the complaint and the current whereabouts of the accused could not be independently confirmed at the time of publication.
Is working for a cleaner Noida a crime?
Is raising concerns about sanitation and supporting sanitation workers a crime? This is the question Manish Dawar has raised following the alleged incident in Alpha-1.
Dawar maintains that his intervention was aimed at encouraging proper garbage disposal and protecting sanitation workers from unhygienic conditions. He has questioned why an effort to promote cleanliness and support sanitation staff should allegedly result in verbal abuse and threats.
Keeping Noida and Greater Noida clean is a shared civic responsibility. Residents, sanitation workers, RWAs and civic authorities all have a role to play in ensuring proper waste disposal and maintaining hygienic neighbourhoods.
Disagreements over garbage disposal should be addressed through established administrative procedures and lawful action. If the allegations made by Dawar are substantiated, the matter would raise serious concerns about the safety of citizens who speak up on civic issues.
The question is not merely about an individual dispute. It also concerns whether residents can raise legitimate sanitation issues, document civic problems and support sanitation workers without fear of intimidation.
Dawar has urged the police to investigate the matter impartially, examine the available evidence and ensure that he and his family can continue their lives and social work without fear.
Seeks impartial investigation and protection
Dawar has urged the police to investigate the allegations impartially, examine the available recordings and video footage, record statements from witnesses and take appropriate legal action if the allegations are substantiated.
He has also requested that adequate security be provided to him and his family, citing concerns for their safety.
Dawar said he has faith in the state government led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and the state’s law enforcement system. He maintained that raising concerns about sanitation, promoting responsible waste disposal and protecting the dignity and health of sanitation workers are legitimate civic responsibilities.
He further said that disputes over cleanliness and waste disposal should be addressed through the law and the relevant administrative procedures rather than through alleged abuse or threats.
He has also listed associations with the Krishna Janmabhoomi–Shahi Idgah dispute in Mathura, the Krishna Janmabhoomi Mukti Nirman Trust and the Active Greater Noida Good Morning Group. His profile also mentions previous responsibilities associated with the Bharatiya Janata Party’s Kisan Morcha IT Cell and activities in Delhi.
Police response awaited
The allegations in this report are based on the complainant’s account. Independent verification, the accused person’s response and official confirmation from the police regarding the complaint and the status of the investigation are awaited.
The case highlights the importance of proper waste disposal, the working conditions of sanitation workers and the need to resolve civic disputes through lawful channels.