Mumbai: State assembly speaker Rahul Narwekar took a strong view on the death of a man who fell into an open manhole in Sakinaka, directing the state to lodge a case of culpable homicide against the official responsible. “This is a very serious matter. During the monsoon, gutters and manholes are left open. In the past, a doctor died after falling into a manhole. The state should file a case of culpable homicide against such officers,” Narwekar said.The issue was raised in the assembly by BJP MLA Ameet Satam. “An FIR should be filed against the contractor and the official responsible should be suspended,” Satam said.Congress MP and Mumbai Congress president Varsha Gaikwad demanded a murder FIR be registered against the Mumbai mayor and the BMC commissioner over deaths caused by a falling tree and an open manhole. Terming the incidents “murders caused by administrative failure,” she alleged that the fatalities were the result of gross negligence and administrative lapses.“Despite spending hundreds of crores of rupees, Mumbaikars continue to suffer immense hardship. Every death during the monsoon in Mumbai is not an accident but a killing caused by administrative failure. These are not accidents but deaths caused by negligence of the municipal administration and the irresponsible functioning of those in power,” Gaikwad said.She claimed the mayor is blaming the administration, while the administration is giving its routine responses, saying instructions were issued, action is underway and an inquiry will be conducted.Congress politician Nana Patole said, “There is an atmosphere of dread regarding safety in Mumbai. The govt needs to take measures quickly because any news about Mumbai becomes global news. “Urban development minister Madhuri Misal later made a statement in the assembly detailing the suspension of BMC officials and the inquiry ordered into Thursday’s incident. She also said there would be a review of manholes in all wards in the city within eight days.
