5-year-old boy locked in car seized by cops, dies of suffocation

The boy accidentally locked himself in an SUV parked by the crime branch at an open space in Ghatkopar (West)

A five-year-old boy died allegedly because of suffocation after he accidentally locked himself in a sports utility vehicle (SUV) which was parked by crime branch officials at an open space in Ghatkopar (West) on Saturday evening.

Kurban Rahim Khan was found dead in the back seat of the SUV around 6pm. He died of suffocation after getting locked in the car for around two hours. Khan was playing with his friends at a plot at Damodar Park in Ghatkopar (West) at 4.30pm, which is nearby to the chawl behind Pankhesha mosque, where he lives.

The police suspect that while playing, Khan locked himself in the SUV, which had its windows shut. The child may have opened the door and after entering, he locked himself up. Khan’s friends did not realise that he had locked himself, as they were unable to hear his screams, the police said.

Khan’s family members began a frantic search when he did not return till 6pm. Residents reached the plot after the boys told them that they were playing there for a long time.

During the search, Khan was found lying in the SUV, which was then broken to pull him out. Khan was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was declared dead on arrival.

Police investigations revealed that the place belongs to a builder who is into the slum rehabilitation project. The vehicle was one of the 17 cars that were seized by the unit 7 of the Mumbai crime branch. “The crime branch used the premises for parking because of lack of space,” said a police officer from Parksite police station.

The police have registered a case of accidental death. “The post-mortem report revealed that the boy died of suffocation,” said the officer. The Parksite police have initiated an inquiry into the incident. “The vehicle was seized as part of the crime branch investigation into a case,” said the officer. His father Rahim works with a broker firm.