Electrocution at Mumbai construction site
MUMBAI: A 26-year-old construction worker died after coming into contact with an exposed electrical wire at a site in Mulund East, prompting Navghar police to register a case against the contractor for negligence and alleged safety lapses.
The victim was identified by the Free Press Journal as Shahjahan Ibran Ali, a native Katihar of Bihar; The Times of India named him as Sahjahan Ali. Both outlets agree he had been working at the construction site near Sambhaji Garden for about a month.
According to police, on the night of August 12 (as per Times of India) or August 13 (as per Free Press Journal), around 8:30pm (both outlets), Ali was doing concrete-filling work using a concrete vibrator machine at the construction site. He was trying to move aside an exposed halogen light wire, which was in a deteriorated condition with a electrical conductors exposed, when he came into contact with the live supply and suffered a shock.
Immediate response and investigation
Co-workers rushed Ali to a nearby hospital by autorickshaw. Hours after hospital admission, staff at Veer Savarkar Hospital informed police. Free Press Journal reports Sub-Inspector Aarti Mohanrao Bhandare received the call and that Ali was declared dead around 9:30pm, before treatment could begin. The body was later sent to Rajawadi Hospital in Ghatkopar for post-mortem, and the medical officer attributed the cause of death to electrocution.
The police initially registered an accidental death case under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, before later booking the contractor under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Electricity Act provisions. The specific legal sections cited differ slightly between the two reports: The Times of India mentioned Section 106(1) of the BNS and the Electricity Act, 2003; Free Press Journal detailed the same, adding Section 125 of the BNS and Section 161, 162 of the Electricity Act.
Safety grievances of workers
According to both reports, co-workers told police that contractor Mohammed Azhar Ivasuddin Ali (also spelled Mohammad Azhar Ali in Times of India), 42, who was the site supervisor, allegedly failed to provide basic safety equipment such as rubber gloves and protective footwear. It was also alleged that workers were expected to work after dark under halogen lights, and that the contractor was not present at the site when the incident took place.
Times of India reported that police conducted a spot panchnama, seized the damaged electrical wire, and recorded statements of several workers. Free Press Journal mentioned that the wire was in severely deteriorated condition and the eyewitness statement from Sodalam Ashraf Ali, 24, was recorded. Both publications reported that the body was sent for post-mortem and the cause of death was electrocution.
The deceased had been employed at the Bhanudarshan Society site for about one month, although Free Press Journal added that workers had been under the same contractor for one to two years.
Legal action and aftermath
Navghar police registered a case against the contractor for alleged negligence and failure to provide safety equipment, which allegedly led to the worker's death. The case has been filed under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Electricity Act.
The incident highlights the alleged absence of safety protocols at the site. The investigation has been initiated, with police collating witness statements and the duty doctor's report. The body was handed to the family after post-mortem.
Perspectives
Authorities: The police are proceeding with the investigation, having registered an FIR and seized evidence. Officials stated the contractor failed in his duty to provide safety gear.
Workers: Fellow workers reportedly alleged that they were made to work under hazardous conditions, without rubber gloves or protective footwear, and that the contractor remained absent at the time.
Contractor's side: As of the time of the report, no response from the contractor was recorded by either newspaper.