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Man killed in construction accident at Hindu temple accused of human trafficking

ByEyes on Trafficking News
Friday, April 30, 2021 - BAPS  Charities holds a COVID-19 Vaccination Drive inside BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Robbinsville, NJ, (a Hindu place of worship) in collaboration with Robert Wood Johnson University  Hospital (RWJ), Hamilton. BAPS Media Relations Coordinator Darshan Patel, center, talks with a couple in the post-vaccine waiting area.
© Michael Mancuso/nj.com/TNS Friday, April 30, 2021 – BAPS  Charities holds a COVID-19 Vaccination Drive inside BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Robbinsville, NJ, (a Hindu place of worship) in collaboration with Robert Wood Johnson University  Hospital (RWJ), Hamilton. BAPS Media Relations Coordinator Darshan Patel, center, talks with a couple in the post-vaccine waiting area.


A 57-year-old man was killed Friday in a construction accident at a Hindu temple in Robbinsville, police said.

Thursday, November 7, 2019 - Annakut (Mountain of Food) set up in NJ State House for Diwali. The annakut, one of the significant aspects of Diwali, is an annual offering to God to ask for a propserous and positive new year. The annakut was put up in the State House to honor the Diwali festival and celebrate diversity in NJ, according to Darshan Patel, representative of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Robbinsville, which hosted the event.
© Michael Mancuso/nj.com/TNS Thursday, November 7, 2019 – Annakut (Mountain of Food) set up in NJ State House for Diwali. The annakut, one of the significant aspects of Diwali, is an annual offering to God to ask for a propserous and positive new year. The annakut was put up in the State House to honor the Diwali festival and celebrate diversity in NJ, according to Darshan Patel, representative of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Robbinsville, which hosted the event.


The man, whose name was not released by police, was a resident of Hillside.

A look at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Robbinsville, NJ. A look at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Robbinsville, NJ. Visitors walk around the outside of the Mandir Manday (the building covering the Mandir) toward the entrance.
© Michael Mancuso/nj.com/TNS A look at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Robbinsville, NJ. A look at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Robbinsville, NJ. Visitors walk around the outside of the Mandir Manday (the building covering the Mandir) toward the entrance.


Robbinsville police said they were called to the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir temple on North Main Street on Friday at 3:44 p.m. The accident occurred in the back of the property where curbing was being installed.

A look at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Robbinsville, NJ. There are 98 intricately carved pillars. It takes 4 artisans 2 months to carve one pillar.
© Michael Mancuso/nj.com/TNS A look at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Robbinsville, NJ. There are 98 intricately carved pillars. It takes 4 artisans 2 months to carve one pillar.


The man was pronounced dead at the scene. Police said a “construction accident occurred” but did not release any additional details.

A look at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Robbinsville, NJ. The Mandir is 133 feet long, 87 feet wide and 42 feet tall at its highest point.
© Michael Mancuso/nj.com/TNS A look at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Robbinsville, NJ. The Mandir is 133 feet long, 87 feet wide and 42 feet tall at its highest point.


“BAPS extends its deepest sympathies to the employees of Flats and Curbs, a subcontractor on site, and in particular to the family on the loss of their loved one,” a spokesperson from BAPS said on Sunday. “Worker safety is a priority for BAPS, and we pledge our full cooperation with as they investigate the accident.”

A look at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Robbinsville, NJ. The Mandir Manday (the building covering the Mandir) is 55 ft high and 135 ft wide.
© Michael Mancuso/nj.com/TNS A look at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Robbinsville, NJ. The Mandir Manday (the building covering the Mandir) is 55 ft high and 135 ft wide.


The Robbinsville mandir, which offers visitors tours, is known for its intricate, hand-crafted details, marble walls and mosaic floors.

Thursday, November 7, 2019 - Annakut (Mountain of Food) set up in NJ State House for Diwali. The annakut, one of the significant aspects of Diwali, is an annual offering to God to ask for a propserous and positive new year. The annakut was put up in the State House to honor the Diwali festival and celebrate diversity in NJ, according to Darshan Patel, representative of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Robbinsville, which hosted the event.
© Michael Mancuso/nj.com/TNS Thursday, November 7, 2019 – Annakut (Mountain of Food) set up in NJ State House for Diwali. The annakut, one of the significant aspects of Diwali, is an annual offering to God to ask for a propserous and positive new year. The annakut was put up in the State House to honor the Diwali festival and celebrate diversity in NJ, according to Darshan Patel, representative of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Robbinsville, which hosted the event.


A fatal accident also occurred on the property in 2017 when a 15-year-old boy from Hatfield, Pa. fell about 45 feet inside the main temple. He was described at the time as a volunteer at the temple. His death prompted his family to file a lawsuit against BAPS which was settled for an undetermined amount, according to court documents.

A look at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Robbinsville, NJ.
© Michael Mancuso/nj.com/TNS A look at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Robbinsville, NJ.


However, a lawsuit filed against Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha, a Hindu sect known as BAPS, and the leaders who run the Robbinsville temple alleges they lured workers from India to build the world-class project, worked them nearly 90 hours per week and paid them around $1.20 per hour.

Thursday, November 7, 2019 - Annakut (Mountain of Food) set up in NJ State House for Diwali. The annakut, one of the significant aspects of Diwali, is an annual offering to God to ask for a propserous and positive new year. The annakut was put up in the State House to honor the Diwali festival and celebrate diversity in NJ, according to Darshan Patel, representative of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Robbinsville, which hosted the event.
© Michael Mancuso/nj.com/TNS Thursday, November 7, 2019 – Annakut (Mountain of Food) set up in NJ State House for Diwali. The annakut, one of the significant aspects of Diwali, is an annual offering to God to ask for a propserous and positive new year. The annakut was put up in the State House to honor the Diwali festival and celebrate diversity in NJ, according to Darshan Patel, representative of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Robbinsville, which hosted the event.


It also alleged one man became sick and eventually died but his cause of death remains unknown.

Thursday, November 7, 2019 - Annakut (Mountain of Food) set up in NJ State House for Diwali. The annakut, one of the significant aspects of Diwali, is an annual offering to God to ask for a propserous and positive new year. The annakut was put up in the State House to honor the Diwali festival and celebrate diversity in NJ, according to Darshan Patel, representative of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Robbinsville, which hosted the event.
© Michael Mancuso/nj.com/TNS Thursday, November 7, 2019 – Annakut (Mountain of Food) set up in NJ State House for Diwali. The annakut, one of the significant aspects of Diwali, is an annual offering to God to ask for a propserous and positive new year. The annakut was put up in the State House to honor the Diwali festival and celebrate diversity in NJ, according to Darshan Patel, representative of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Robbinsville, which hosted the event.


A criminal investigation by the U.S. Attorney's office is also underway related to the allegations.

Thursday, November 7, 2019 - Annakut (Mountain of Food) set up in NJ State House for Diwali. The annakut, one of the significant aspects of Diwali, is an annual offering to God to ask for a propserous and positive new year. Pooja Raval representative of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Robbinsville, which hosted the event, says, "Diwali is the festival of lights and it signifies the triumph of good over evil bringing light into the darkness that pervades our world. Families get together during the days that lead up to Diwali and bring out these old traditional recipes that are passed down from generation to generation."
© Michael Mancuso/nj.com/TNS Thursday, November 7, 2019 – Annakut (Mountain of Food) set up in NJ State House for Diwali. The annakut, one of the significant aspects of Diwali, is an annual offering to God to ask for a propserous and positive new year. Pooja Raval representative of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Robbinsville, which hosted the event, says, “Diwali is the festival of lights and it signifies the triumph of good over evil bringing light into the darkness that pervades our world. Families get together during the days that lead up to Diwali and bring out these old traditional recipes that are passed down from generation to generation.”


According to the lawsuit, workers were told to tell the U.S. Embassy in Delhi during visa interviews that they were volunteers and would be “doing decorative painting or carving work (nikashi) on stones to be used in the New Jersey temple.”

Thursday, November 7, 2019 - Annakut (Mountain of Food) set up in NJ State House for Diwali. The annakut, one of the significant aspects of Diwali, is an annual offering to God to ask for a propserous and positive new year. The annakut was put up in the State House to honor the Diwali festival and celebrate diversity in NJ, according to Darshan Patel, representative of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Robbinsville, which hosted the event. Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez right, speaks at a brief ceremony. Standing in back from left are Assemblman Robert Karabinchak and Assemblywoman Nancy Pinkin.
© Michael Mancuso/nj.com/TNS Thursday, November 7, 2019 – Annakut (Mountain of Food) set up in NJ State House for Diwali. The annakut, one of the significant aspects of Diwali, is an annual offering to God to ask for a propserous and positive new year. The annakut was put up in the State House to honor the Diwali festival and celebrate diversity in NJ, according to Darshan Patel, representative of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Robbinsville, which hosted the event. Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez right, speaks at a brief ceremony. Standing in back from left are Assemblman Robert Karabinchak and Assemblywoman Nancy Pinkin.


The workers eventually received religious visas, according to the lawsuit, and had to pay their way from India to New York City. Upon arrival to the U.S., BAPS representatives allegedly confiscated their passports and visas — even before they had left the airport, according to the lawsuit.

Thursday, November 7, 2019 - Annakut (Mountain of Food) set up in NJ State House for Diwali. The annakut, one of the significant aspects of Diwali, is an annual offering to God to ask for a propserous and positive new year. The annakut was put up in the State House to honor the Diwali festival and celebrate diversity in NJ, according to Darshan Patel, representative of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Robbinsville, which hosted the event.
© Michael Mancuso/nj.com/TNS Thursday, November 7, 2019 – Annakut (Mountain of Food) set up in NJ State House for Diwali. The annakut, one of the significant aspects of Diwali, is an annual offering to God to ask for a propserous and positive new year. The annakut was put up in the State House to honor the Diwali festival and celebrate diversity in NJ, according to Darshan Patel, representative of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Robbinsville, which hosted the event.


©2022 Advance Local Media LLC. Visit nj.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

A look at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Robbinsville, NJ.
© Michael Mancuso/nj.com/TNS A look at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Robbinsville, NJ.
 

This “Eyes on Trafficking” story is reprinted from its original location.

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EYES ON TRAFFICKING

This “Eyes on Trafficking” story is reprinted from its original online location.

ABOUT PBJ LEARNING

PBJ Learning is a leading provider of online human trafficking training, focusing on awareness and prevention education. Their interactive Human Trafficking Essentials online course is used worldwide to educate professionals and individuals how to recognize human trafficking and how to respond to potential victims. Learn on any web browser (even your mobile phone) at any time.

More stories like this can be found in your PBJ Learning Knowledge Vault.

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