Mumbai: Residents force cops to file FIR in Goregaon lift mishap

The Goregaon police on Monday registered an FIR in connection with last weekrsquos lift accident at R1 Building in Mitha Nagar Goregaon West in which two minor boys fell into the lift duct from the third floor after the lift door shaft reportedly broke plunging them to the ground floorFamilies relatives and friends of the injured boys mdash Rudra and Vignesh mdash gathered at the police station demanding strict action and registration of an FIR against those responsible After recording statements police registered a case against the lift contractor under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita BNSCritical conditionRudrarsquos father Anil said he is still in pain post surgery and remains worried about Vignesh and repeatedly asks about his condition Elevenyearold Vignesh Mahatre remains in critical condition at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital where he is on ventilator support Doctors continue to describe his condition as alarmingSide railings are fixed with clips on the liftrsquos outer doors While some floors have clipped railings photographs show safety clips missing on other lift doors PicsBy Special ArrangementVigneshrsquos maternal uncle Yogesh Mohite blamed both the lift contractor and the housing society management for the incident ldquoBoth are responsible for what has happened to the children Strict police action must be taken against the contractor as well as the society officebearersrdquo he saidSharing details of Vigneshrsquos injuries Mohite said the child suffered a severe head injury ldquoThe bone above his forehead cracked and pierced the skull Doctors have performed surgery to fix the bone but clotting has developed in the brainrdquo he said adding that the boy has been under critical observation for over 72 hoursldquoThe dosage of medicines has been reduced If his condition improves doctors will begin treatment for the clotting Expert doctors are doing their best but the cost of treatment is extremely highrdquo he addedSafety lapsesRaising safety concerns Mohite claimed he inspected the lift on every floor and submitted photographs to the police ldquoOn the ground and seventh floors the liftrsquos outer doors have side railings fixed with clips On other floors these safety clips are missing Had these railings been properly fixed the lower railing would not have broken and the door would not have swung openrdquo he allegedHe further said the society also shares responsibility ldquoThe society collects maintenance charges It was their duty to ensure safety Had they paid attention this accident could have been avoidedrdquo he saidContractor respondsResponding to the allegations Ronny Parakal owner of Alpine Elevator Marol Andheri East said his company has been maintaining the lift for the past 21 years ldquoOur mechanic services the lift every month The last maintenance was done on December 3rdquo he said Parakal said maintenance includes checking the lift lock weight balance cleaning debris from inner and outer sliding doors and inspecting door condition ldquoWe have never encountered such an issue beforerdquo he saidHe added that it is clearly mentioned mdash even in metro trains and automatic lifts mdash that people should not lean or apply pressure on lift doors ldquoExcessive pressure can break the door As per the information I received the children were playing and repeatedly pushing the doorrdquo he claimed Maintaining that the lift was technically sound Parakal said the lift undergoes a yearly audit by the Public Works Department PWD though he was unsure whether the latest audit had been conducted ldquoThe lift is in proper condition The door swung open due to excessive pressurerdquo he said adding that police are investigating the matter ldquoWe will fully cooperate with the investigation and follow whatever directions emergerdquo he further saidPolice probeSenior Inspector Suryakant Kharat Goregaon police station said statements of the victimsrsquo families have been recorded and the FIR is being registered under relevant negligence charges against the lift contractor