Two minors drown in Shivaji Nagar

Two minor boys from Shivaji Nagar in Govandi were found dead in Mithi River on Thursday morning.

While doctors who conducted the post mortem examination have reserved their opinion on the cause of death for now, the policeprima facie, believe the boys drowned while playing near the river on Wednesday night.

According to the police, the boys, Shahbaz Ali Sayyed (8) and Mohammed Kaif Qureshi (14), stayed with their families in the Durga Seva Sangh society and were students of a civic school. “They left their residences around 9 p.m. on to play, and went missing. They would often play near the river with friends,” senior police inspector Deepak Pagare, Shivaji Nagar police station, said.

When the boys failed to come home till late in the night, their families approached the police. Around 8.30 a.m. on Thursday, they were seen floating in the river. They were rushed to Rajawadi Hospital, but were declared dead before admission.

“Post mortem examination was inconclusive, and the doctors have preserved the viscera for chemical analysis. There are some wounds on their bodies, but they could have been caused due to chewing of the flesh by rodents. Investigations so far do not indicate foul play,” Mr. Pagare said.

Shahbaz was a Class III student and his father is a daily wage labourer. Kaif studied in Class VIII and his father works in an embroidery workshop. The police have registered accidental death reports and are trying to find any eyewitnesses to the incident.