Fifth arrest made in Deepak Amrapurkar’s death on August 29

Mumbai: The Dadar police has arrested the fifth accused in connection with the unauthorised opening of a civic manhole at Senapati Bapat Marg in Elphinstone Road during a heavy downpour on August 29 that led to the death of renowned gastroenterologist Dr Deepak Amarapurkar. The renowned doctor died after falling into an open manhole while walking along a flooded street on August 29. The police had earlier arrested four persons who had opened the manhole lid after rainwater began entering homes. 

Police officials said the case would be cracked gradually as the probe goes forward. They had arrested the quartet after a police officer saw them opening the manhole during the heavy rains.

According to the police sources, the fifth arrest was made late on Monday night, after the interrogation of four arrested accused on Sunday. During the interrogation, they told the officers that a few others from their society in Parel had  helped them to open the manhole on August 29.

After the four accused spilled the beans, the police arrested the fifth person. So far, five men have been arrested and are booked under section 304(A) of the IPC that pertains to the death caused by negligence. The accused, who live in a nearby chawl, had opened the manhole to drain out the rainwater that was flooding their homes.

Rajiv Jain, deputy commissioner of police zone 5, told The Asian Age, “The fifth arrest was made after the interrogation of the accused shed light on the incident. The investigation is still underway, and with time and questioning, more arrests will be made.”

A police source had also said that the arrested men had opened the manhole on instructions of a few other members of the chawl. However, Mr Jain said, “This is a part of the investigation, and no details can be divulged at this stage.”