Vimal Gaikwad, 45, who died after falling into an open stormwater drain near Gate 3 of the Santacruz Electronics Export Processing Zone (SEEPZ) in Andheri East, was the sole breadwinner for her family of two: herself and her husband. According to relatives, she managed his day-to-day and medical needs, as he was unable to work due to visual impairment and mental health issues.

On the night of her death, her husband, Aapasha, in his early 50s, repeatedly called her phone when she didn’t return to their home in Powai’s Milind Nagar, an informal settlement. “My only support is gone. She did everything for me. She usually comes home by 8.30 pm. I kept calling, but her phone was off,” he said.