Mumbai: Labourer dies after falling into open manhole in Sakinaka, CCTV video sparks outrage

The spot where the incident occurred in Sakinaka, Andheri. Pic/Ranjeet Jadhav

A labourer died after allegedly falling into an uncovered manhole while speaking on his mobile phone on Kherani Road in Sakinaka, Andheri East, on Thursday morning, triggering outrage among local residents who blamed civic negligence. The victim, Aslam Shaikh, was pulled out after a rescue operation that lasted more than two hours, while a CCTV clip of the incident went viral on social media, raising questions over safety measures at civic work sites.

Aslam, 55, is believed to have fallen into the manhole between 10.30 am and 11 am. Residents alleged that civic work was underway in the area but the manhole had been left open without barricades or warning signs.

Aslam Shaikh the deceased. Pic/By Special Arrangement

Teams from the BMC, Mumbai Fire Brigade, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Mumbai Police rushed to the spot and launched a search operation. After more than two hours, rescuers recovered Aslam's body.

The incident

Where: Kherani Road, Sakinaka, Andheri East
When: Between 10.30 am and 11 am on Wednesday
Victim: Aslam Shaikh
Rescue agencies: BMC, Fire Brigade, NDRF and Mumbai Police
Rescue operation: Lasted over two hours

"He only lived for his family"

Neighbours described Aslam as a quiet, hardworking man who always put his family first. ‘He was a good man who worked hard every day to provide for his family. No one ever thought we would have to see him die in such a horrific manner.'

Sole breadwinner lost

The tragedy has left Aslam's family devastated.

His younger brother, Akbar Shaikh, was at work in Marol when he received a phone call informing him that Aslam had fallen into a manhole. By the time he reached Kherani Road, rescue personnel were pulling his brother's body from the drain.

Aslam was the eldest among four brothers and the family's primary breadwinner. He earned Rs 400 to Rs 500 a day loading debris onto dumpers.

He is survived by his wife, a daughter and a son, Ali Akbar, a final-year BCom student at Sinhagad College who recently started working to support the family.

Family left behind

>> Wife
>> Daughter
>> Son Ali Akbar, a final-year BCom student
>> Eldest of four brothers
>> Sole breadwinner

"This death could have been prevented"

Aslam's close friend, Siddique Galiyara
‘I have known Aslam since childhood. He was a hardworking labourer who left home every day to earn a living. The BMC contractor had started work, but there were no barricades around the open manhole. Aslam was walking when he fell straight into it. This tragedy could have been prevented. A case should be registered against the contractor and the BMC officials responsible. His family deserves maximum compensation. If no action is taken, we will launch a protest.'

Mayor visit

With the incident sparking widespread outrage, Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde visited the accident site in Sakinaka to assess the situation firsthand.