Shardul Thakur in a file photo. (Photo: Agencies)

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has washed its hands off the death of 21-year-old youth Rizwan Khan, claiming that a pothole did not cause the accident that claimed his life. It has also made it clear that no compensation would be given to the dead youth’s family. Instead, the BMC has claimed it was a duct chamber cover that had gotten pressed, which caused the accident.

Rizwan had died on September 26 after falling from his bike while returning home with a friend after buying ice cream for his family. He lost his life after allegedly falling into a pothole near JJ Hospital. Corporators had demanded compensation for his family, saying the BMC should take responsibility for the incident, as there are numerous potholes on JJ Road.

But, in a statement submitted to the civic standing committee, the BMC has said that there was no pothole on JJ Road as it was a concrete road. It was a Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) duct chamber cover, which was pressed, due to which the accident occurred, the report said.