Whodunit? In Mumbai, mystery over death of 'minor' domestic help continues

Akhilesh Yadav (13) fell from the 13th floor of the E-wing of Gundecha Garden, a highrise complex in Chinchpokli, on Tuesday afternoon. Pic/Shadab Khan

While Akhilesh Yadav, a 13-year-old domestic help tragically fell to his death from the 13th floor home he was employed at on Tuesday evening, cops and his employers are clueless about what led to the incident. The Kalachowkie police have registered an accidental death report and taken a detailed statement of Akhilesh’s employer. His parents are reaching Mumbai today and cops have asked them to carry documents pertaining to their son to establish his age, since the employer has claimed Akhilesh was 18.

Cops take body

Akhilesh used to work for the Mehta family that resides in E wing of Gundecha Garden in Lalbaug. On Tuesday afternoon, he fell from the house and was found in the basement. One of the security guards in the building heard a loud thud and ran to check what had happened, when they found Akhilesh in a pool of blood. Guards informed the society officials who reported the incident to the Kalachowkie police station. Cops reached the spot and took



his body to KEM hospital where he was declared dead on arrival.

Employers clueless

Akhilesh’s employers were clueless about the fall and have not come forward to help after finding out about his death. Meanwhile, questions have been raised on the Mehta family for employing a minor as domestic help.

“It is not clear how he fell from the 13th floor, but a possibility is that the family must have sent him for cleaning. Till now, the police have registered a case of accidental death. We are also checking if the family has informed had registered his appointment with the station,” said a police officer.

Minor or adult?

On Wednesday, the cops recorded statements of the Mehta family nearby and are inquiring with their neighbours. “The employers claim that Akhilesh was 18. Prima facie, he appears to be a minor. He hails from Bihar and was employed by the family six months ago,” said N Ambika, DCP of Zone 4, adding, “We have informed his family about the incident and his parents are arriving on Thursday. The police have asked them to carry his birth certificate and other documents.”