On June 25, 2003, Mrs. Suman Madane, a seventh-floor resident of the Akurli Golden Palace in Kandivli, tragically died when a descending lift struck her head after she peered into the shaft through an open viewing panel that lacked glass or acrylic protection.

Her husband and children filed a complaint with the Additional Mumbai Suburban District Forum, naming multiple parties for negligence:

• Builder Tarun Bajaria (Jyoti Enterprises)
• Architect Jagdish Thakkar
• Lift installer (Europe Elevators / Shyam Dhamal)
• Society office-bearers, for failing to maintain operational and safety standards

The District Forum ruled all were jointly liable, ordering ₹15 lakh in compensation and ₹10,000 in legal costs. The case escalated to the Maharashtra State Commission. On May 30, 2025, the Commission upheld the liability finding and increased legal costs to ₹1 lakh, reaffirming their obligation toward accountability.

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