Two people, including an eight-year-old girl, died and four others were injured after an electric shock near a Ganpati festival venue in Mumbai’s Kalachowki area early Sunday morning.
The incident took place on Dattaram Lad Marg near the Mahaganpati Utsav Mandal at a time when the Lalbaug area was crowded with people attending Ganeshotsav celebrations.
According to officials, the incident was reported at around 2:42 am on September 20. The electric shock occurred near a temporary drinking-water and beverage stall close to the entrance of the festival venue.
Eight-Year-Old Girl Among Those Killed
Six people were affected in the incident. Two later died while four others were taken to hospitals for treatment.
The deceased were identified as eight-year-old Ragini Ghanshyam Yadav and 33-year-old Sujata Balraj Thodeti. Ragini was taken to Masina Hospital in Byculla, where doctors declared her dead on arrival. Sujata was taken to Global Hospital and also died after the incident.
Four People Injured
Four other people were injured and taken to different hospitals.
Kiran Akbar Naik, 19, Tanvi Naresh Hande, 19, and Sahil Sandip Tare, 19, were receiving treatment at Masina Hospital and were reported to be stable.
Twelve-year-old Ruhi Singh was admitted to the ICU at Global Hospital and was reported to be in critical condition.
Electric Supply Shut Down After Incident
The incident triggered an immediate response from the Mumbai Fire Brigade, Mumbai Police, BEST and civic authorities.
The electricity supply in the affected area was switched off and the location was cordoned off to prevent further accidents.
BEST officials later inspected the electrical arrangement near pole number DLM-14 at Digvijay Mill Chawl on Dattaram Lad Marg.
A temporary electricity meter had been installed for Ganpati festival lighting and a nearby cold-drink stall. Officials also examined the meter and its electrical connections.
Police Probe Electrical Fault
Authorities are investigating how the electric current reached the area and whether there was a fault in the temporary electrical setup.
According to the latest police reporting, an FIR has been registered against the operator of the temporary stall. Police have booked the operator under Sections 106(1) and 125(b) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita as part of the investigation.
BEST officials also inspected the temporary wiring and MCB. The electrical supply remained switched off while officials examined the setup.
Incident Occurred Amid Heavy Ganpati Crowd
The incident occurred during the ongoing Ganeshotsav celebrations, when large numbers of devotees were present in the Lalbaug and Kalachowki areas.
The exact sequence that led to the electric shock is still being investigated. Police and electrical authorities are examining the temporary power connections and other circumstances surrounding the incident.
The death of the eight-year-old girl and the 33-year-old woman has raised concerns over electrical safety at temporary festival installations, while the investigation will determine responsibility for the incident.
