Three members of a housing society and two contract lift maintenance workers are facing charges in connection with the death of a 10-year-old boy who tragically lost his life in a lift crash last June. The police, who initially filed an accidental death report, have now booked the society's secretary, chairman, and treasurer, along with the contractors, under IPC section 304A for negligence. The boy's mother reported that the malfunctioning lift had been in need of repair, but the society continued to operate it without addressing the issues.
In a heart-wrenching incident, a 10-year-old boy lost his life in a tragic lift crash in June, prompting the Mankhurd police to take swift action. Three members of Subh Prabhat housing society at Lallubhai compound in Mankhurd, along with two contract lift maintenance workers, Mohammed Shaikh and Aslam Khan, have been booked for causing death due to negligence under IPC Section 304A.
The initial police report had classified the incident as an accidental death. However, the situation took a drastic turn when the grieving mother of the victim, Priyanka Barhate, came forward with serious allegations. Barhate pointed out that the building's lift had been malfunctioning for a considerable period, yet the society members had failed to address the issue with proper repairs.
According to Barhate, her brother-in-law, Prashant, a member of the society's WhatsApp group, had informed her about ongoing discussions regarding the malfunctioning lift, including issues with emergency buttons and fans. In the aftermath of the tragic lift crash that claimed the life of young Rudh, Barhate discovered that the society had entrusted the lift maintenance contract to Shaikh and Khan. As a result, she held them and the society members collectively responsible for her son's untimely demise.
The incident unfolded on June 6 when Prashant noticed technicians attempting to repair the lift. He advised Ajlankar to suspend lift services temporarily and arrange for a proper and thorough repair instead of resorting to a stopgap solution. Tragically, the warning went unheeded.
The following day, Rudh, who resided on the fifth floor, ventured downstairs to fetch groceries. However, he failed to return within the expected time, prompting Barhate to inquire about his whereabouts. She was met with a crowd gathered near the lift, informing her of a child who had fallen beneath it. As Barhate approached, her worst fears were realized when she found her unconscious son trapped under the lift. Rushing him to Rajawadi Hospital, doctors, unfortunately, declared him dead.
Further investigations revealed that the lift malfunctioned while Rudh was ascending to the fifth floor. Instead of stopping on the intended floor, it continued upwards to the seventh floor and halted a few inches above the designated level. In an attempt to exit the lift and reach the floor, Rudh tragically fell into the gap and plummeted to the ground floor.
The Mankhurd police have now pressed charges against the three society members and the two contractors under IPC Section 304A, which holds a maximum penalty of two years in jail and/or a fine for causing death due to negligence. The authorities are urging property owners and managers to ensure regular lift maintenance and address any reported issues promptly to prevent such tragic incidents in the future.
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