26-year-old caretaker falls from 19th floor of high-rise building in Mumbai

Cops said the woman, who was employed by physically challenged 65-yr-old man, fell after his birthday party

A 26-year-old woman caretaker was found dead after she fell off from the 19th floor of Maker Towers A wing in Cuffe Parade in south Mumbai in the early hours of Saturday.

The police said the woman, identified as Shamita Tambe, was employed by a physically challenged 65-year-old, Ramesh Bhojwani, and the incident took place after Bhojwani’s birthday party. Officials are probing if there is any foul play in the incident.

Tambe, who stayed in the same neighbourhood, was employed by Bhojwani for the past six months.

Cuffe Parade police officers said that woman worked in shifts and there was another woman who worked as a nurse-cum-caretaker at the residence. According to preliminary investigations, the senior citizen had hired four cooks for his birthday party and Tambe, along with the other woman caretaker, were also present on Friday night. At least 50 guests attended the party, the police said.

After the party, the cooks and the two caretakers had dinner in the kitchen and also allegedly consumed alcohol. According to the statements recorded by the police, Tambe then sat near the window where she allegedly lost her balance and fell down to the elevated parking on the first floor around 1.30am.

“There is no clarity if she was pushed or if it’s a case of suicide or an accidental fall. We are recording the statements of all the guests who attended the party to get further clarity on the incident. We have also called her husband and will question him,” said Manoj Kumar Sharma, deputy commissioner of police, zone I. Autopsy reports are awaited. Officials said the cooks and other caretaker got scared and fled the apartment.

There are no CCTV cameras at Bhojwani’s residence. The police have registered a case of accidental death at the moment and are investigating if there is any foul play in the incident.