Mumbai: On Thursday afternoon (July 2, 2026), while the Sewerage Operations Department of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation was installing a ‘safety net’ on a manhole along Khairani Marg in Kurla SakiNaka, a person died after falling into the manhole. Taking serious notice of the incident, Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide issued instructions to suspend Assistant Commissioner of ‘L’ Division Dhanji Harlekar, Assistant/Secondary Engineer (Maintenance, L Division) Deepak Chogole, Junior Engineer (Maintenance, L Division) Abhijeet Chogole, Assistant Engineer (Sewage Operations) Uttam Patil pending investigation.
The Commissioner has also ordered the blacklisting of the contractor concerned for negligence in the work regarding safety norms. A high-level inquiry has been constituted under the chairmanship of Additional Municipal Commissioner (Western Suburbs) to conduct a thorough investigation into this unfortunate incident and prevent such incidents from reoccurring in the municipal limits. The process of installing a ‘manhole protective net’ was going on at the Sewerage Operation Department along Khairani Marg in Kurla Sakinaka, in the ‘L’ division area of ​​the Mumbai Municipal Corporation. While this process was going on, it was seen that the contractor did not take any care of safety. At that time, Aslam Ishaq Sheikh (aged 55 years) was walking on the road while talking on his mobile phone. When Sheikh approached the manhole, people standing near the manhole tried to stop him by raising noise. However, unfortunately, Sheikh lost his balance and fell into the ‘manhole’. Mumbai Municipal Corporation, Mumbai Fire Department and employees reached the spot and tried their best to save him. However, unfortunately, the person lost his life. Taking serious note of the incident, Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide has ordered an inquiry. In addition, Assistant Commissioner of the L Department Dhanji Harlekar, Assistant/Secondary Engineer Mr. Deepak Chogole, Junior Engineer Mr. Abhijeet Chogole, Assistant Engineer Mr. Uttam Patil have been suspended till the inquiry. The Commissioner has also ordered to blacklist the contractor concerned for negligence in safety. Mayor Ritu Tawde has announced a financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh
High-level inquiry appointed
A high-level inquiry committee has been appointed under the chairmanship of Additional Municipal Commissioner (Western Suburbs) to conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the incident and suggest measures to prevent such incidents from happening again in the Mumbai Municipal Corporation area. The committee includes Deputy Commissioner (General Administration), Deputy Commissioner (Zone 7), Deputy Commissioner (Infrastructure). The inquiry committee has been ordered to submit a report within seven days.
Along with this, as a safety measure, instructions have been given once again that barriers should be installed on all sides while working on the entry of humans. In addition, 100% inspection of survey manholes in the municipal area should be done in the next eight days. Their safety should be ensured. All Additional Municipal Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners of all seven zones, Assistant Commissioners of 26 administrative divisions have been instructed to prepare a report in this regard.
However, as part of the pre-monsoon preparations, the Municipal Commissioner, Additional Municipal Commissioner held regular meetings of the officers of the Municipal Corporation from March 2026 and ordered all departments to install manhole nets.

Mumbai: A ruckus broke out in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly when Congress leader and Akola MLA Sajid Khan Pathan once again received a threat from the Bishnoi gang. He informed the House of Assembly about it. During this, Congress leaders Nana Patole and Vijay Waditwar demanded security for the MLA and said that it is a very sensitive matter. An MLA has received repeated threats and the government had also issued a statement on it. A day earlier, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had clarified his stand regarding the Bishnoi gang in the House and said that arrangements would be made for it. The very next day, an MLA receives a threat. This is very worrying for the government. On this, Minister Nitish Rane said in the Legislative Assembly that no one will be spared. The government’s stand regarding the Bishnoi gang is clear. The MLA should provide the details of this to the police. Along with providing the details in the House, the police should also be informed about this matter. Nitish Rane said that the government is the guarantor of everyone’s safety.

In the House of Assembly, Akola MLA Sajid Khan Pathan said that he is not afraid of threats from the Bishnoi gang because death is right. If death is written by the hands of Shubham Lonkar, then no one can save him. This is a worrying act for the government because the Chief Minister makes a claim a day before and receives a threat the next day. Even before that, when I received a threat from the Bishnoi gang, the Chief Minister had assured me of providing security, but so far no one has been arrested in this matter. He said that if I die, a grand temple should be built in my constituency. I am always active in maintaining communal harmony, that is why I am being targeted. I am not a businessman, so why is there a question of asking for ransom or a week from me? On this, Speaker Rahul Narvekar has directed the House to pay special attention to this matter.

Mumbai, July 2: A man reportedly fell into an open manhole at Khairani Road near Sanman Hotel, close to S.J. Studio in the Sakinaka area of Mumbai on Thursday afternoon, prompting an emergency search operation by civic and rescue authorities.

According to information received from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) Fire Brigade Control Room, the incident was reported at approximately 12:26 p.m. Initial information from officials at the scene indicated that three private contractual maintenance workers had removed a manhole cover to carry out maintenance work.

During the operation, a man who was reportedly talking on his mobile phone accidentally stepped into the uncovered manhole and fell inside. The workers immediately lowered a ladder into the manhole in an attempt to rescue him. However, they were able to recover only his umbrella and slippers.

Officials said the strong flow of water inside the drainage system made it difficult to determine the direction in which the man had been swept away. Fire Brigade personnel, along with other emergency responders, launched a search operation.

In an update received at around 2:15 p.m., authorities confirmed that the body of the victim had been located. Fire Brigade personnel were making efforts to retrieve the body from the drainage system.

The identity of the deceased had not been officially disclosed at the time of publication.

Police and civic authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident. Further details are awaited.