A 70-year-old blind man allegedly drowned after falling into the unfenced Achole pond in Nalasopara East on Tuesday morning. The deceased has been identified as Bharat Kumar Mistry, a resident of Mumbai, who had come to live with his married daughter in Achole village.
According to police sources, Mistry, who was visually impaired in both eyes, often relied on his walking stick to take strolls around the pond area. On Tuesday, around 8 am, he went for his regular walk and accidentally fell into the pond due to the absence of protective fencing, leading to his drowning. Locals immediately alerted the police, following which fire brigade officials fished out the body and sent it for post-mortem. The Achole police have registered an accidental death case.
Police examine the Achole pond in Nalasopara East. Pic/Mahesh Gohil
Locals said there had once been a protective fence around the pond, but it had been damaged and left unrepaired for a long time. They claimed that had the authorities acted in time, the tragedy could have been prevented.
Public anger
Residents have strongly criticised the Vasai-Virar City Municipal Corporation (VVCMC), holding it responsible for the poor maintenance of the pond. They allege that negligence in repairing the broken fencing directly led to the death of the senior citizen.
An officer from Achole police station told mid-day on condition of anonymity, “The deceased, Bharat Kumar Mistry, lost his eyesight around 40 years ago. This was the reason he rented out his house in Dahisar and, along with his wife, started living with his daughter for the past 30 years. Mistry’s daughter is a doctor, and they live in the Evershine Nagar area. Every morning, he would go alone for a walk near the Achole pond with the help of his walking stick. This morning, too, he had come for his walk as usual.”
PSI Milind Borese, who was present at the spot, said, “There were no eyewitnesses to the incident. However, a child had seen him sitting near the pond earlier. The body was recovered with the help of the fire brigade, a panchnama was conducted, and it was sent for post-mortem.”
Speaking with mid-day, ACP Umesh Mane (Tulinj Division) said, “Around 8 am, Mistry had arrived at the pond. His walking stick and a water bottle were later found nearby. It is unclear at what exact time he slipped and fell into the pond, but around 11 am, his body was seen floating, and locals immediately informed the police.” Medical examination confirmed death due to drowning. No external injuries were found on the body.
