A 55-year-old man identified as Aslam Isak Shaikh, died on Thursday after falling into an open manhole on Khairani Road in Mumbai’s Sakinaka area, triggering a police case and allegations of serious negligence during ongoing drainage repair work.
According to officials from Sakinaka Police Station, repair work on the water drainage system was underway on Khairani Road when the incident occurred.
The pedestrian, a resident of Yadav Nagar in Sakinaka, reportedly fell into an open manhole while passing through the area and died after being swept away.
Based on a complaint filed by a Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) officer from L Ward, an offence has been registered at Sakinaka Police Station against the contractor and workers engaged in the repair work. Police have initiated an investigation into the circumstances leading to the fatal incident.
Mumbai Police said, “An offence has been registered at Sakinaka Police Station against the contractor and workers engaged in the repair work following the death of a pedestrian who fell into an open manhole during drainage work. Further investigation is in progress.”
Preliminary findings suggest that adequate safety measures were not in place at the work site. Reports indicate that Shaikh was walking through the area, allegedly while speaking on his mobile phone, when he lost his balance and fell into the uncovered manhole as there were no barricades or safety cones around the area to indicate that the manhole was open.
Emergency response teams, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) personnel and the Mumbai Fire Brigade, rushed to the spot and tried to rescue the man. However, despite efforts that lasted for four hours, the man could not be saved as he had been swept away into the drainage system.
The incident has sparked criticism from residents and activists, who have raised concerns over civic negligence and lack of accountability in public infrastructure works.
Family members of the deceased have demanded compensation, with his sister-in-law stated that he was the sole breadwinner of the family and that safety norms are not being properly followed in the city.
An advocate, Pankaj Mishra, has also moved a petition seeking suo motu cognisance by the Human Rights Commission over the incident. Locals alleged that neither civic authorities nor public representatives are paying adequate attention, calling the situation a case of routine negligence.
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an 'Orange alert' for Mumbai, Thane, Palghar and Raigad districts, warning of moderate to intense spells of rainfall over the next three hours.
The IMD has also forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall in Mumbai and its suburbs, along with gusty winds reaching speeds of 50–60 kmph, urging residents to exercise caution as monsoon conditions intensify across the region.
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