Two deaths in three days have put the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) under intense scrutiny, with allegations of civil negligence mounting after an 11-year-old schoolboy was killed by a falling tree, and a 60-year-old man died after falling into an open manhole during heavy rains.
The successive tragedies have sparked political outrage, demands for criminal action against those responsible, and raised new questions about Mumbai’s preparedness for the monsoon.
A man died after falling into an open pit
The latest incident occurred on Thursday in Mumbai’s Chandivali area, where 60-year-old Aslam Ishaq Sheikh died after falling into an open pit amid heavy rain.
According to civic officials, three contract workers were removing the manhole cover to carry out maintenance work when Shaikh, who was allegedly talking on his mobile phone, accidentally entered the manhole.
Surveillance camera footage from Al-Khairani Road showed the sheikh walking at a fast pace before suddenly disappearing into the inspection hole. It also captured workers looking at the opening moments later.
Firefighters and civil disaster management teams launched a search operation and later recovered his body.
Mumbai Deputy Mayor Sanjay Gade, ward committee chairman Vijendra Shinde and Sena group leader Amiya Gul visited the site of the tragic manhole accident on Khairani Road, Sakinaka.
“It is a very painful tragedy,” Ghadi said. “Strict legal action must be taken immediately against the Assistant Commissioner of Ward L, the contractor concerned and all officials responsible for this negligence.”
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“premeditated murder”
The incident resonated in the Maharashtra Assembly, with Speaker Rahul Narwekar terming it a case of “manslaughter” and ordering the state government to submit a detailed statement before the Assembly by the end of the day.
BJP MLA Ameet Satam demanded an FIR against the officials and sought criminal action against the officials concerned, saying suspension alone would not be enough.
He alleged that the manhole was left open during BMC’s sanitation work and said such civic lapses still endanger public safety during monsoon.
A student was killed after a tree collided with a bus
The latest death comes just two days after 11-year-old Vihan Srivastava was killed when a decades-old peepal tree was uprooted and fell on a school bus in Mumbai’s Chembur area on Tuesday.
The bus, carrying 13 students from International High School, was transporting the children to their homes when the tree collapsed near Route 11.
Five students between the ages of 4 and 12 were injured in the accident. Vihan later died of his wounds in a private hospital, while the condition of the remaining children was reported to be stable.
Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde ordered a detailed investigation into the incident.
Calls for accountability
BJP MLA Sanjay Upadhyay urged the municipal corporation to ensure timely tree pruning and removal of weak trees during monsoon to prevent such incidents.
Maharashtra Minister Yogesh Kadam said strict action would be taken against anyone found responsible, while Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar described the incident as “heartbreaking” and extended her condolences to the bereaved family.
The two incidents have renewed concerns about civilian safety in Mumbai during the monsoon, with growing demands for stronger accountability and preventive measures to avoid further loss of life.
(With inputs from PTI)
