9 hrs ago
Mumbai Ganesh Festival Electric Shock Kills Two, Injures Four
Two people died and four people were hurt after electricity spread near a temporary drink stall at a crowded Ganesh festival in Mumbai.
The people who died were an eight-year-old girl and a 33-year-old woman.
A 12-year-old girl was seriously hurt and was treated in an intensive-care unit.
The accident happened near the entrance of a Ganesh pandal early on September 20.
Officials said a temporary electric meter and faulty wiring may have been involved.
Local accounts also mentioned water, a wooden board, damaged stall parts and heavy crowd pressure near the stall.
Firefighters and others turned off the electricity and took the injured to hospitals.
Police booked the stall operator and are investigating what caused the current to spread.
Eyewitnesses and local representatives also questioned whether crowd control and safety arrangements were sufficient.
An eight-year-old girl and a 33-year-old woman died after an electric current reached a temporary water and beverage stall near a Lalbaug Ganesh pandal.
Four others were injured, including 12-year-old Ruhi Singh, who was reported to be in critical condition in an ICU.
The incident occurred around 2:00-2:20 a.m. on September 20 near the Mahaganpati Utsav Mandal on Dattaram Lad Marg in Kalachowki.
Officials identified a temporary electricity meter and faulty installation near the stall; BEST disconnected the supply and issued a notice to the mandal.
Police booked stall operator Kamal Shetty under Sections 106(1) and 125(b) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita while investigating wiring, crowd conditions and safety measures.
- Who
- Raghini or Ragini Ghanshyam Yadav, 8, and Sujata Thodeti, 33, died; four others were injured, including Ruhi Singh, 12. Police booked stall operator Kamal Shetty.
- What
- An electrical-current incident near a temporary drinking-water and cold-drink stall killed two people and injured four others.
- Where
- Near the entrance of the Mahaganpati Utsav Mandal in Digvijay Mill Chawl on Dattaram Lad Marg, Kalachowki, in Mumbai's Lalbaug area.
- When
- Early September 20, at approximately 2:00-2:20 a.m.; the articles identify the year as 2026.
- Why
- The cause is under investigation. Officials cited a possible short circuit and faulty temporary electrical installation, while local accounts also pointed to water, damaged stall components and crowd pressure.
Electrical Installation Focus
Crowd Management Focus
Likely cause of the shock
Electrical Installation Focus
Police and officials are examining a possible short circuit, faulty temporary wiring and current leakage at the stall. Police allege that a wire was left improperly and negligently.
Crowd Management Focus
Locals and eyewitnesses said crowd pressure may have pushed people into the stall, while water near a wooden board or damaged iron stall components may have helped bring people into contact with electricity.
Responsibility for safety
Electrical Installation Focus
The police case focuses on the stall operator, and BEST issued a notice for faulty electrical installation near the festival entrance.
Crowd Management Focus
Eyewitnesses and a former mandal office-bearer said the area was severely overcrowded, barricades were damaged and there was inadequate crowd management and police deployment.
Key facts
- Deaths
- Raghini/Ragini Ghanshyam Yadav, 8, and Sujata Thodeti, 33.
- Injured
- Four people, including 12-year-old Ruhi Singh, who was reported to be in critical condition.
- Incident time
- Approximately 2:00-2:20 a.m. on September 20, 2026.
- Location
- Temporary stall near the Mahaganpati Utsav Mandal entrance on Dattaram Lad Marg, Kalachowki, Mumbai.
- Electrical findings
- A temporary meter was installed for festival illumination and the cold-drink stall; officials reported faulty installation and disconnected the wiring and MCB.
- Utility action
- Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport Undertaking disconnected temporary meter M-217392 and issued a 38B notice to the mandal.
- Police case
- Kamal Shetty was booked under Sections 106(1) and 125(b) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Quotes
An eyewitness
An eyewitness describing how crowd movement may have caused contact with the electrified stall
“First, we rushed them to the hospital, holding them in our arms and putting them in wheelchairs, making a way through the crowd. Later, we took them to hospitals on two-wheelers.”
theprint.in
“Amid jostling of the crowd, some people were pushed to the stall. Due to which the iron beams of the stall broke, and they might have come in contact with the electric current.”
theprint.in
Ashish Shelar
Maharashtra Cultural Affairs Minister
“Ganeshotsav is a festival of faith, enthusiasm and social harmony. However, the safety of citizens and devotees must remain the highest priority during the celebrations. Every Ganesh mandal must strictly follow safety regulations in its area as well as the guidelines issued by the administration.”
theprint.in
Sources
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