150 Human Bones Found in Abandoned Water Tank
Human bones were discovered inside an unused water tank during the demolition of a chawl in Vasai, and police are now investigating the identity and cause of death.
A shocking discovery was made during the redevelopment of a 30-year-old chawl in the Manikpur area of Vasai. Workers found human bones inside an old, unused water tank on the terrace of the two-storey building.
The chawl, named Barkulya, has 10 rooms and was mainly occupied by hawkers working near Vasai railway station. An overhead water tank had been installed many years ago to supply water, but it was not used for a long time due to low water pressure. Residents depended on municipal water instead.
Demolition work started on 30th January. The next day, when workers broke part of the concrete tank using a breaker machine, they found pieces of human bones and a skull inside. Police from Manikpur station were immediately informed. They reached the spot, sealed the building and registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR).
Forensic teams recovered more than 150 pieces of dry human bones, along with some clothes, including a white shirt and black trousers, believed to be men’s clothing. Police suspect the remains may be of a man aged between 35 and 40 years, possibly a hawker. The name “Dinesh” was reportedly found written on the clothes, and a tailor’s label may help in identification, though officers said it would still be difficult.
Due to heavy decomposition, the bones were very fragile and broke easily while being handled. A panchanama was conducted at the site, and all remains were sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory in Kalina, Mumbai, for detailed examination.
Inspector Durga Chaudhary said the tank had been unused for decades, raising serious questions about how the remains went unnoticed for so long. Suresh Almeida, who looks after the building owned by his aunt, said the terrace gate had been locked for the past two years and no foul smell was ever noticed.
Police are now checking old missing persons cases from the Mira Bhayandar–Vasai Virar region and nearby districts. They are investigating all possibilities, including accident, murder, or illegal disposal of a body. They are also examining whether this case is linked to an earlier incident last year when three hawkers died in the same chawl due to a gas leak.
Authorities said the investigation will depend largely on the forensic report, which will help determine the identity of the person, the cause of death, and how the body ended up inside an unused water tank for so many years without anyone knowing.
