Mumbai Police File Negligence Case After Dilapidated Building Slab Injures Two Men
In a shocking incident highlighting urban safety concerns, the Mumbai police have registered a formal case of negligence and endangering human life against the owner of a dangerously dilapidated structure, Kadamb Kudpi House, located in the bustling Khar West area. This decisive legal action follows a terrifying accident on Saturday night where two young men sustained serious injuries after large chunks of concrete slab allegedly fell directly onto them from the building's second-floor balcony.
Details of the Saturday Night Mishap
The alarming event unfolded between 9:40 PM and 10:00 PM near the popular KFC junction on Linking Road, a typically crowded commercial and social hub. According to police reports, the victims were identified as Nirav Nishar, a 27-year-old hardware business operator residing in Grant Road, and his friend Harsh Porwal, a 28-year-old resident of Madhya Pradesh. The duo had visited Linking Road in Khar West with the simple intention of purchasing sunglasses.
"The two men were standing near the KFC junction, adjacent to a local cobbler's shop, when without warning, a substantial slab from the second-floor balcony of the building detached and crashed down upon them," stated a senior police officer involved in the investigation. "Preliminary inquiries confirm that necessary repairs had not been carried out on this building for a significant period, despite its visibly and structurally deteriorating state," the officer emphasized, pointing to clear negligence.
Severity of Injuries and Immediate Aftermath
The impact of the falling debris resulted in severe injuries for both individuals. Harsh Porwal bore the brunt of the collapse, suffering serious trauma to his head, chest, back, face, hands, and legs. His companion, Nirav Nishar, sustained injuries to his shoulder and hand. Alert bystanders at the scene promptly rushed the injured men to Holy Family Hospital in Bandra West via autorickshaw. Later, for advanced medical care, their relatives arranged their transfer to the renowned Breach Candy Hospital in south Mumbai.
In addition to the human toll, the incident also caused material damage, with a parked car in the vicinity being struck and damaged by the falling concrete fragments.
Legal Repercussions and Police Action
Responding to the gravity of the situation, the Khar police station took swift legal action on Sunday. An official First Information Report (FIR) has been registered against the building owner under specific sections of the newly enacted Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
- Section 125(b): Pertains to acts done so rashly or negligently as to endanger human life or the personal safety of others.
- Section 324(4): Addresses mischief causing damage to property.
This case underscores critical issues of building maintenance, public safety, and civic responsibility in Mumbai's dense urban landscape. It serves as a stark reminder for property owners and municipal authorities regarding the imperative need for regular structural audits and timely repairs to prevent such hazardous occurrences.
