Archive · 2 Sep 2026
Bhiwandi Woman Found Dead in Lift Shaft, Safety Probe Begins
Shaheen Shaikh was a 54-year-old woman who worked as a domestic helper.
She was raising four children after her husband died and was reportedly their main source of income.
Her family became worried when she did not come home on Monday evening or night.
They reported her missing to the police.
On Tuesday, her body was found beneath a lift in a building in Bhiwandi.
Police think she may have fallen into the lift shaft, but they do not know exactly what happened yet.
Doctors will examine her body to help determine the cause of death.
Officials are also checking whether the lift was faulty or poorly maintained.
The building has been described by civic authorities as unauthorised.
Shaheen Shaikh, 54, was found dead beneath the lift mechanism at Rabia Apartment in Bhiwandi.
Her family reported her missing on Monday evening or night after she failed to return home.
Police suspect she may have accidentally fallen into the elevator shaft, but the circumstances remain unclear.
Bhoiwada police registered an Accidental Death Report and sent her body for a post-mortem examination.
Municipal officials identified the seven-storey building as unauthorised and are examining possible lift defects, maintenance failures and negligence.
- Who
- Shaheen Shaikh, a 54-year-old domestic helper, widow and reported sole breadwinner for four children.
- What
- She was found dead beneath a lift mechanism after apparently falling into an elevator shaft; the circumstances are under investigation.
- When
- She was reported missing on Monday evening or night, and her body was found on Tuesday; the reports are dated September 1 and September 2, 2026.
- Where
- Rabia Apartment in the Dhobi Talao area of Bhiwandi, Thane district, Maharashtra.
- Why
- Police suspect an accidental fall, while authorities are investigating whether lift defects, poor maintenance or other negligence contributed to the death.
- Deceased
- Shaheen Shaikh, 54
- Occupation
- Domestic helper and reported sole breadwinner for four children
- Location
- Rabia Apartment, Dhobi Talao area, Bhiwandi
- Discovery
- Body found beneath the lift mechanism of the seven-storey building on Tuesday
- Police action
- Bhoiwada police registered an Accidental Death Report
- Medical examination
- Body sent to Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital, Bhiwandi, for post-mortem
- Building status
- Municipal officials described Rabia Apartment as an unauthorised structure
- Safety investigation
- Officials are examining the lift’s technical condition, operation, maintenance and possible structural or technical failures
