A 60-year-old woman was killed in Shivaji Park after an iron grill that was installed at one of the floors of an under-construction mall fell on her. The incident took place on Sunday afternoon when the victim, Shobha Sawant, was washing vessels outside her house. The work was under way at the mall located a few yards away from her house, separated by a wall.

The Shivaji Park police arrested two labourers — Pintu Verma (20) and Jitendra Verma (25)— and contractor Raju Kapse (36) for causing death due to negligence. Police sub-inspector Shashikant Yadav said that they had booked builder Champaklal Vardhan also.

“At 3.30 pm on Sunday, she had gone out to wash vessels. Suddenly we heard a crashing noise followed by her screams. A huge grill had fallen on tin sheet used as a roof and both came down on her,” said Vidya, Sawant’s sister-in-law.

Sawant’s family has been staying at a chawl in Ganesh Peth lane in Shivaji Park for years and the construction of Star Mall began seven years ago. The victim’s relatives and neighbours alleged that the lack of safety measures by the builder led to Sawant’s death.

“Ever since the construction of the mall began, we had to face harassment. The careless labourers throw all kinds of items including stale food and rubble. Recently, a sow had fallen down but luckily no one was injured,” said Amit Pawar, a resident of the chawl.

Incessant fear of electrocution, unabated noise and exposure to malaria are some of the side-effects of having a mall in the neighbourhood, said the residents. “Lastmonth, there have been three cases of fire due to short circuit. The electric supply used for the work transmitted through overhanging wires. Also, stagnant water at the site has bred mosquitoes and many residents have got malaria. Sawant’s husband was a victim,” said Ninad More, Sawant’s neighbour.

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