Victim’s sister was stuck in lift earlier

A couple of months ago, 64-year-old Baby Shetty got stuck in the elevator of her building, Manorath housing society in Borivli, and had to be rescued by the watchman.

A couple of months ago, 64-year-old Baby Shetty got stuck in the elevator of her building, Manorath housing society in Borivli, and had to be rescued by the watchman.

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On Tuesday, Baby’s younger sister, Chhaya Shetty, fell down the elevator shaft of the same building and died.

A resident of the third floor, Baby had stopped using the elevator after she got trapped. “The lift stopped midway between the ground and first floor. I kept banging the door and cried for help,” Baby told Hindustan Times on Wednesday.

A resident on the first floor heard her cries and informed the watchman. “The watchman used some mechanism and the lift came closer to the first floor. I had to jump out,” Baby said.

Even the residents of the housing society believe there have been frequent technical snags in the elevator. “The lift has been a nuisance for the past one year,” said baby’s son, Surendra (39). “It breaks down almost every week. At times, the elevator’s door gets stuck halfway.”

Residents said whenever there is problem with the elevator, they inform the maintenance firm, Eskay Elevators India Private Limited. “The company sends its staff, who rectify the problem,” said Sharad Bhatia, a committee member of the society and resident of the sixth floor.

Eskay Elevators India Private Limited inspects the elevator every month. Since the accident, the residents have been left with no option but to use to staircase. The Public Works Department has ordered that the elevator be closed for inspection.