Carpenter Dharmendra Prajapati Dies in Fall From 22nd Floor of Wadala SRA Building
A 34-year-old carpenter died on July 6 after falling from the 22nd floor of a Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) building in Wadala, Mumbai. The victim, identified as Dharmendra Prajapati, was found by residents on the ground floor of the 22-storey high-rise.
Prajapati was a native of the Deoria district in Uttar Pradesh and had arrived in Mumbai around three months ago in search of employment. He was employed as a carpenter by a building contractor at the Wadala site. According to the police, Prajapati had been working with the contractor for the past three months and had been residing on the 22nd floor of the building for about a month.
The incident occurred at a building where work on the terrace is still underway, although possession has already been handed over to several flat owners. Preliminary police investigations suggest that Prajapati may have woken up during the night, lost his balance, and fallen to the ground.
The incident came to light on the morning of July 6 when local residents noticed Prajapati's body lying in a pool of blood on the ground floor. The residents immediately alerted the local police.
The RAK Marg police have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) and are currently investigating whether there was any negligence on the part of the contractor or other individuals responsible for managing the worksite.
During the initial inquiry, the police traced the contractor to Vasai. However, contacting the contractor and Prajapati's relatives was delayed. A police officer explained that due to heavy rainfall and a power outage in Vasai, the contractor’s mobile phone was switched off, which delayed efforts to obtain details about the deceased and his family.
The police eventually contacted Prajapati's relatives in Deoria after two days. Investigators are now recording the statement of Prajapati's brother, who arrived from Uttar Pradesh after learning of the death. Based on his statement, the police will determine whether to register a First Information Report (FIR).
