Santacruz couple electrocuted to death

A husband and wife living in Gazdhar Bandh slums died due to electrocution after they came in touch with a high voltage electric current running through their terrace grill on Saturday morning. Locals claim the grill was in contact with the grill of a hotel located next to their house.

The Santa Cruz police said the incident took place around 7.30 am. The deceased — Anil Khaire, 49, and his wife Vasanti, 40 — lived with their two sons aged four and eight. Vasanti was hanging clothes out to dry when she touched the grill and suffered a shock. Hearing her scream, Anil rushed to rescue her, but got electrocuted himself in trying to pull her away. The neighbours took them to the nearest hospital but both were declared dead before admission. They then called the police.

The house of the deceased was very close to Kalpana Diary and Hotel. Locals have told the police that they suspect the electric current came from the hotel and got passed on to the couple's terrace grill.

"We have informed officials of the Maharashtra State Electricity Board and Reliance company that provides electricity, they have conducted an inspection of the spot. We are awaiting their reports. Once we get those, we will ascertain who was responsible for the negligence and, accordingly, register a case," said Padmakar Chavan, senior inspector from Santa Cruz police station.