1 electrocuted, 5 hurt as Sakinaka mandal’s Ganpati procession trolley touches live wires in Mumbai

Mumbai: A man was electrocuted and five others, including a six-year-old boy, suffered injuries in Sakinaka after live electric wires came in contact with the trolley carrying their mandal's Ganpati idol for immersion on Saturday night. Sakinaka police have filed a case of accidental death, said DCP Datta Nalawade.Police said the incident took place at 10.45pm when the Ganpati procession of Gajanan Mitra Mandal from Kachara Galli was near Sanman Hotel on Khairani Road and the volunteers lifted the overhead high-tension wires above the trolley. "One man was rushed to SevenHills Hospital in Andheri (E), where he was declared dead. Five others were admitted to Paramount Hospital in Sakinaka," the officer said.The deceased was identified as Binu Sukumaran (37), a resident of Gilbert Compound in Sakinaka. Six-year-old Aarush Gupta, Dharmaraj Gupta (49), Tushar Gupta (20), Shambhu Kami (20), and Karan Kanojia (14) are undergoing treatment for their burn injuries.A senior Tata Power official said: "It is a 22Kv overhead transmission line. There was no tripping or any fault/issue from our end. The wire is at a height of 6.5m making it positioned at permissible safe height. During processions, people try to push up wires using wooden sticks or remove them using ladders. In this case, prima facie, it seems that some people in the procession used a metal object which came in contact with the live transmission wire. We are yet to probe how the incident happened."In a statement to media, Tata Power mentioned, "Our network was maintained within prescribed safety standards with all precautions taken for the safe passage of the religious processions. Public safety remains our top priority, and we urge citizens to keep a safe distance from electrical infrastructure during public events. Our heartfelt condolences to the affected family and our prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured. We stand with them in this difficult time and are extending full support to the authorities."