Mumbai Manhole Death: BMC Pays Rs 10 Lakh Compensation, Inquiry Report Still Pending Two Months Later

Mumbai, 9th September 2026: Nearly two months after a man died after falling into an open manhole in Mumbai’s Sakinaka area, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has paid ₹10 lakh in compensation to his family, but the inquiry report into the incident is yet to be made public.

The incident took place on July 2 when a man fell into an open storm-water drain manhole on Khairani Road in Sakinaka amid heavy rainfall. The man, identified as Aslam Isak Shaikh, died in the incident. CCTV footage reportedly showed that the area where civic workers were carrying out work did not have adequate barricading or warning signs.

Following the incident, the BMC suspended officials and ordered an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death. The civic body also initiated action against the contractor involved in the work.

The ₹10 lakh compensation was announced for the family following the death. However, the inquiry report, which is expected to establish responsibility and examine the lapses that led to the incident, has not yet been made public.

The delay has raised questions over the status of the investigation and accountability in the case. In July, Congress group leader in the BMC Ashraf Azmi had also demanded that the civic administration release the inquiry report and fix responsibility for the death.

The incident had brought renewed attention to the safety of open manholes and storm-water drains during Mumbai’s monsoon. While the compensation has been provided to the deceased’s family, the findings of the civic inquiry and any further action based on those findings remain awaited.