13 January,2026 07:43 AM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah Khan
Relatives and friends of the injured boys, Rudra and Vignesh, outside the police station
The Goregaon police on Monday registered an FIR in connection with last week's lift accident at R-1 Building in Mitha Nagar, Goregaon West, in which two minor boys fell into the lift duct from the third floor after the lift door shaft reportedly broke, plunging them to the ground floor.
Families, relatives, and friends of the injured boys - Rudra and Vignesh - gathered at the police station demanding strict action and registration of an FIR against those responsible. After recording statements, police registered a case against the lift contractor under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Rudra's father, Anil, said he is still in pain post surgery and remains worried about Vignesh and repeatedly asks about his condition. Eleven-year-old Vignesh Mahatre remains in critical condition at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, where he is on ventilator support. Doctors continue to describe his condition as alarming.
Side railings are fixed with clips on the lift's outer doors; While some floors have clipped railings, photographs show safety clips missing on other lift doors. Pics/By Special Arrangement
Vignesh's maternal uncle, Yogesh Mohite, blamed both the lift contractor and the housing society management for the incident. "Both are responsible for what has happened to the children. Strict police action must be taken against the contractor as well as the society office-bearers," he said.
Sharing details of Vignesh's injuries, Mohite said the child suffered a severe head injury. "The bone above his forehead cracked and pierced the skull. Doctors have performed surgery to fix the bone, but clotting has developed in the brain," he said, adding that the boy has been under critical observation for over 72 hours.
"The dosage of medicines has been reduced. If his condition improves, doctors will begin treatment for the clotting. Expert doctors are doing their best, but the cost of treatment is extremely high," he added.
Raising safety concerns, Mohite claimed he inspected the lift on every floor and submitted photographs to the police. "On the ground and seventh floors, the lift's outer doors have side railings fixed with clips. On other floors, these safety clips are missing. Had these railings been properly fixed, the lower railing would not have broken, and the door would not have swung open," he alleged.
He further said the society also shares responsibility. "The society collects maintenance charges. It was their duty to ensure safety. Had they paid attention, this accident could have been avoided," he said.
Responding to the allegations, Ronny Parakal, owner of Alpine Elevator, Marol, Andheri East, said his company has been maintaining the lift for the past 21 years. "Our mechanic services the lift every month. The last maintenance was done on December 3," he said. Parakal said maintenance includes checking the lift lock, weight balance, cleaning debris from inner and outer sliding doors, and inspecting door condition. "We have never encountered such an issue before," he said.
He added that it is clearly mentioned - even in metro trains and automatic lifts - that people should not lean or apply pressure on lift doors. "Excessive pressure can break the door. As per the information I received, the children were playing and repeatedly pushing the door," he claimed. Maintaining that the lift was technically sound, Parakal said the lift undergoes a yearly audit by the Public Works Department (PWD), though he was unsure whether the latest audit had been conducted. "The lift is in proper condition. The door swung open due to excessive pressure," he said, adding that police are investigating the matter. "We will fully cooperate with the investigation and follow whatever directions emerge," he further said.
Senior Inspector Suryakant Kharat, Goregaon police station, said statements of the victims' families have been recorded, and the FIR is being registered under relevant negligence charges against the lift contractor.
