Mumbai: A draft inquiry report into the death of 55-year-old Aslam Shaikh, who died after falling into an open manhole on Khairani Road in Sakinaka during the monsoon, has flagged contradictory statements by several BMC officials responsible for supervising manhole safety works, complicating the probe into the incident.“The inquiry has become more complex because no one has owned up to issuing the work order for installing the protective net at the Khairani Road manhole where Shaikh fell. Establishing the chain of responsibility is proving difficult,” said a civic official.Officials said the contractor entrusted with the work is also on the run, further complicating efforts to determine accountability.The inquiry panel is also expected to recommend stricter safety protocols while installing or replacing manhole protection nets, including mandatory barricading of work sites and improved supervision to ensure public safety during maintenance works.The draft report was submitted on Monday to the additional municipal commissioner overseeing the inquiry. Officials said the final report is expected to be finalised on Tuesday and is likely to recommend a full-fledged departmental inquiry into the lapses leading to the fatality.The preliminary inquiry, currently underway, has recorded statements of several civic officials associated with the installation and supervision of protective safety nets over manholes. Some officials have also submitted supplementary statements after being questioned.
