Mumbai: A case of causing death due to negligence has been registered at Kalachowky police station against the developer, site supervisor and labour contractor of an under-construction building in Lalbaug after a labourer was killed when an iron rod fell on his head.
Following the incident which took place around 9.50 a.m. Friday, Izhar Sattar Alam (20), who worked as a steel fitter, was taken to KEM Hospital where he was declared ‘dead on arrival’, police said. The rod, as per preliminary inquiries, fell off the 13th floor of the building, formerly a mill-era chawl called Teju Kaya Mansion which is undergoing redevelopment as a high rise.
Izhar's brother Mobin (25), who also works at the same site, approached Kalachowky police station alleging his brother’s death was caused due to negligence by the developer, and sought criminal action. Izhar and Mobin used to stay on the site, police said.
PSI Pramod Awale, Kalachowky police station, said, “Izhar was working in the basement area of the building when the rod fell off landed on his head. Based on Mobin’s statement, we registered an offence of causing death due to negligence on Friday against the developers, contractor and site supervisor. The redevelopment project is being carried out by the owners of the Teju Kaya Mansion. We are looking for more information on the contractor and others responsible for ensuring safety of the workers at the site.”
The police will be visiting the site and recording statements from eyewitnesses to find out how exactly the rod fell off the 13th floor, and will also be making inquiries with labourers about precautions taken for their safety. The site supervisor will also be questioned in this regard. Mr. Awale, the Investigating Officer in the case, said, “Further course of action will be decided after we get a fix on those people responsible for the safety of labourers, and for the rod falling off.”
The city’s growing shortage of living space and the resultant premium on what is available has pushed construction activity, with safety regulations often being neglected.
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