Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai

Mumbai, Jul 2: 

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Thursday suspended four civic officials after a 60-year-old man died after falling into an uncovered manhole during maintenance work in Mumbai's Sakinaka area amid heavy rain.

The action was ordered by Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide, who also directed the formation of a high-level inquiry committee to investigate the incident. The panel, headed by the Additional Municipal Commissioner (Western Suburbs), has been asked to submit its report within seven days.

The suspended officials are L Ward Assistant Commissioner Dhanaji Herlekar, Deputy Engineer (Maintenance) Deepak Chougule, Junior Engineer (Maintenance) Abhijit Chougule and Assistant Engineer (Sewerage Operations) Uttam Patil. They will remain under suspension until the inquiry report is submitted.

The BMC is also considering registering a criminal case against the contractor engaged for the maintenance work.

The deceased was identified as 60-year-old Aslam Isak Shaikh, a resident of Yadav Nagar. He was taken to Rajawadi Hospital in Ghatkopar East, where doctors declared him dead.

The incident occurred at around 12.26 pm near Sanman Hotel on Khairani Road, close to SJ Studio, after the Mumbai Fire Brigade control room received an alert.

According to police, three contractual workers employed by a private agency had removed the manhole cover to carry out maintenance work.

Officials said Shaikh, who was reportedly talking on his mobile phone while walking, accidentally stepped into the open manhole and was swept away by the strong flow of water.

The workers immediately lowered a ladder into the drain and launched a search but were unable to locate him. Only his umbrella and slippers were recovered initially before his body was traced and his death confirmed.

Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde announced an ex gratia of Rs 10 lakh for Shaikh's family and said those responsible would face charges of culpable homicide.

Expressing grief over the incident, Tawde said she had instructed civic officials not to undertake manhole work during the monsoon and questioned why the maintenance had not been completed before the rainy season despite the contract having been awarded two years ago.

"Upon collecting the full details, it was found that a red alert was issued and amid heavy rainfall a protective cover was being installed after opening manholes even when the contract was floated two years back. What did the administration do the entire summer? I am collecting all details," she said while inspecting the site.

The tragedy occurred as Mumbai received heavy rainfall, causing widespread waterlogging and traffic disruptions across several parts of the city.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued an alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall in Mumbai and adjoining districts, while civic authorities warned of strong winds and high tides.

Several low-lying areas, including Andheri, Dadar, Parel, Chembur and Kings Circle, reported flooding. Official data showed that the island city recorded more than 130 mm of rainfall, while parts of the eastern suburbs received over 160 mm.

The incident has raised fresh concerns over safety measures during civic maintenance work, particularly during the monsoon, when waterlogged roads can make open manholes difficult to detect. Authorities are expected to examine whether adequate barricades, warning signs and other safety precautions had been put in place at the site.