The murder of 18-year-old Sujankumar Feku Mahato at Vashi’s Mini Seashore has prompted residents and regular morning walkers to demand tighter security at the popular waterfront.
Mahato, a resident of Ghansoli, was allegedly attacked with a sharp weapon in the early hours of August 29 near St Mary’s Garden. Police later arrested two 20-year-old men, Sahil Ananda Surve and Sahil Yashwant Kharat, in connection with the killing.
Investigators said the attack followed a dispute over a Rs 50 difference in an auto-rickshaw fare. Days after the killing, Vashi-based activist Madhu Shankar launched a signature campaign at Mini Seashore. The memorandum, submitted to Vashi Police and the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC), has 105 signatures.
Morning walkers and joggers sign the petition seeking tighter security at Mini Seashore. Pics/By Special Arrangement
Residents are seeking a permanent police presence, regular patrolling, functional CCTV cameras, better lighting, and pruning of overgrown bushes.
What happened to Mahato?
August 29 | Early morning
18-year-old Sujankumar Feku Mahato was attacked near St Mary’s Garden at Mini Seashore.
Police investigation
Police said Mahato had picked up two passengers near Koparkhairane railway station. A dispute allegedly broke out over a Rs 150 fare when the passengers said they had Rs 100. The argument allegedly escalated during the journey.
Mini Seashore
Police said the two passengers attacked Mahato with a sharp weapon, injuring his neck, head and hands, before fleeing in his auto-rickshaw.
September 1
Police arrested Sahil Ananda Surve and Sahil Yashwant Kharat, both 20, in Mankhurd after examining CCTV footage and following other leads.
Official police account
“We scanned more than 150 CCTV cameras over 48 hours. We prepared sketches and shared details of the accused’s physical appearance with informers in the Mankhurd area. We also checked Mahto’s call details and, based on the investigation, traced the accused to their homes in Mankhurd.” DCP (Crime) Bhausaheb Dhole
Residents say security has deteriorated
Regular users of Mini Seashore say their concerns predate the recent murder.
‘We feel ashamed walking past’
Nalin Sharma, a builder associated with Sai Developers who has been walking at Mini Seashore for around 15 years, said families had become increasingly uncomfortable with the behaviour of some visitors.
“Every morning and evening, couples occupy the benches and corners here and cross every limit of public decency. We ourselves feel ashamed walking past with our families. Security at this spot needs to be increased immediately so that no untoward incident happens here again.”
‘The character of the place has changed’
Chandrasen Angre, a retired RBI employee and regular walker for around a decade, said he had noticed a change over the past one to two years.
“I have been coming here for ten years, but in the last one to two years, anti-social elements have turned this into hell. What example are they setting for the senior citizens and children who come here with their parents to play?”
‘CCTV cameras need to be checked’
Dadasaheb Patankar, another signatory, questioned whether the existing surveillance system is functional.
“All the CCTV cameras installed here need to be checked by NMMC to ensure they are actually in working condition, and police patrolling needs to happen on a regular basis, not just on paper.”
‘We want actual police presence’
Mangesh Borkade, said the existing security arrangement does not provide the kind of police presence residents want.
“There is already a temporary chowky here, but it’s manned by NMMC security guards, not police. We want an actual police presence, round the clock, so that action can be taken immediately if something goes wrong.”
‘Nobody feels safe after dark’
Dilip Panchal, another signatory, said residents had lost their sense of security.
“This spot is meant for families and senior citizens, but right now nobody feels safe here after dark, or even in broad daylight. A permanent police posting is the only way residents will trust this place again.”
Residents also raise concerns about public behaviour
The memorandum raises complaints about couples allegedly engaging in intimate or obscene acts around benches and secluded portions of the promenade, particularly during morning and evening hours. Residents have also alleged that some areas are used by smokers and drug users.
What does the law say?
Section 296 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita deals with obscene acts and songs in public places when they cause annoyance to others. The provision carries a punishment of up to three months’ imprisonment, a fine of up to Rs 1000, or both.
The residents’ memorandum calls for preventive action and counselling where appropriate, particularly in cases involving students, before stricter action is taken against repeat offenders.
‘This is not against the youth’
Campaign organiser Madhu Shankar said the campaign is aimed at improving safety rather than targeting young couples or students.
“Mini Seashore is not a private bedroom; it is a public heritage built from taxpayers’ money. Today, families, morning walkers and schoolchildren are scared to come here. Common benches meant for senior citizens are hijacked by couples indulging in obscene acts in broad daylight. Minor kids from nearby schools get exposed to obscenity at a tender age, which leaves a deep impact on their minds.”
“High-profile citizens, the elderly, and women have all voiced their concerns to me. My signature campaign is not against any student; it is to make Mini Seashore safe again. We demand that Vashi Police make the police chowky at Mini Seashore functional 24x7, increase patrolling, install CCTV, and NMMC improve lighting. Students should be counselled with their parents. This is an age-old issue, and it must be solved keeping aside politics by involving police, municipality, the general public, and social workers,” she added.
Shankar said the campaign was launched after elderly people, women and schoolchildren told her they had begun feeling unsafe at the waterfront. “This is about the safety of our children,” she said.
The residents’ demands
Demand What residents want
Police presence Functional 24x7 police chowky
Patrolling Regular police patrols
Women’s safety Beat/lady constables during peak hours
CCTV All cameras checked and kept functional
Lighting Better illumination across the promenade
Visibility Pruning of overgrown bushes
Public behaviour Warning boards on obscene acts
Repeat offenders Strict action where required
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