Mumbai Police have filed an accidental death report (ADR) over the death of a 45-year-old woman after falling into a drain during heavy rain yesterday. The civic body has also ordered an inquiry into the incident that occurred late at night in Andheri. The victim has been identified as Vimal Anil Gaikwad.
Her husband, who had filed the police complaint, said Vimal was the breadwinner of the family. “I am a sick man, my wife used to take care of my house. We have lost everything, I want that whoever is at fault should be punished,” he said.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), facing charges of negligence, said it has formed a three-member panel, led by a Deputy Commissioner, and sought a report within three days.
“A high-level inquiry committee consisting of three members has been formed. Deputy Commissioner of Zone 3, Devidas Kshirsagar, will chair the committee, while Chief Fire Officer Ravindra Ambulgekar and Chief Engineer (Quality) Avinash Tambe will be the other two members,” the BMC said in a release.
Heavy rain threw life into disarray in the financial capital yesterday, submerging rail tracks and roads. Traffic came to a standstill and at least 14 inbound flights were diverted.
During the rain rampage, Gaikwad fell into an overflowing manhole near Gate number 8 of the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation building in Andheri East. Cops and fire brigade personnel took her to Cooper Hospital, where she was declared dead.
At least seven persons have died in separate manhole incidents in Mumbai this year. The drain deaths also reveal a rise in thefts of manhole covers in the city. In 2023, Mumbai recorded 791 manhole cover thefts.
