Mumbai: Airoli Dahi Handi turns fatal as 34-year-old Govinda dies after pyramid collapses

Swapnil Navar, 34, was part of the human pyramid that collapsed during a Dahi Handi event in Airoli on Saturday. Pic/By Special Arrangement

Thirty-four-year-old Swapnil Sadanand Navar left his Ghansoli Koliwada home on Saturday morning after telling his mother he would return with a gift for her. By night, he was dead.

Swapnil, the sole earning member of his family, died after a human pyramid collapsed during a Dahi Handi celebration at Sainathwadi in Airoli around 8.30 pm. He was critically injured in the fall and was rushed to hospital, where he was declared dead.

Swapnil Navar, 34, (standing behind two other Govindas) was part of the human pyramid that collapsed during a Dahi Handi event in Airoli on Saturday. Pics/By Special Arrangement

For his family, the loss also means losing the income they depended on. They live in a rented house. Swapnil's mother sold flowers on the street and worked at an anganwadi, while his elder brother had no regular source of income. Swapnil was unmarried and drove tourist vehicles occasionally, without a permanent job.

"In the morning, he told his mother that he would give her a good gift. Unfortunately, she received the news of his death instead," said a fruit seller from Ghansoli Koliwada, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The family

Swapnil Navar: 34, unmarried
Home: Ghansoli Koliwada
Work: Drove tourist vehicles occasionally
Family: Parents and elder brother
Housing: Rented home
Family income: Depended largely on Swapnil
Father: Sadanand Navar was in their native place for Ganpati preparations and returned to Navi Mumbai after learning of his son's death, reaching around 4.30 pm on Sunday, according to the fruit seller.

What happened

8.30 pm, Saturday: Human pyramid collapses during a Dahi Handi organised by the Devidas Chougule Dahi Handi Mandal at Sainathwadi, Airoli.
Swapnil: Was part of the pyramid and suffered critical injuries in the fall.
After the collapse: He was rushed to the hospital and declared dead.
Sunday: His father returned from their native place after hearing about the death.

Case status

Police station: Rabale
Case registered: Accidental death report (ADR)

FIR against organiser:
>> None so far
>> Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the collapse, including the number of tiers in the pyramid and other factors.
>> The organiser, Sunil Chaugule of Devidas Chaugule Dahi Handi, could not be reached for comment despite several attempts.

Group in shock

Members of the Govinda group that Swapnil was part of had been practising for nearly 20 days, according to one of its member, who did not wish to be named. The group practised from 10 pm to 1 am on the ground in front of Swapnil's home. "We never expected that Swapnil would leave us like this," a member of the Govinda group said.

‘We will help the family'

Dwarkanath Bhoir, former corporator and Shiv Sena leader
‘Swapnil Nawar is from a poor family and lost his life after falling from the Dahi Handi pyramid. We will try our level best to help his family and will also help them get compensation. It is unfortunate that he went happily to enjoy the festival but lost his life'

Ghanshyam Madhavi, former corporator and BJP leader
‘Efforts will be made to seek compensation for the family after Swapnil's funeral and other rituals'

Police speak

Balkrishna Sawant, senior police inspector, Rabale police station
‘We have registered an accidental death report and are now further investigating the circumstances in which the human pyramid collapsed, including the number of tiers and other factors surrounding the accident.'