Sekhmet flouted building rules; probe on

CHENNAI: Even as Chennai police are investigating the fatal ceiling collapse at upmarket Sekhmet Club in Alwarpet and arrested the Club manager, Greater Chennai Corporation commissioner J Radhakrishnan on Friday said that preliminary investigations revealed various internal deviations in the building’s construction. “It will be confirmed once the inquiry team submits the report,” he said.

Stating that multiple departments are involved in the inquiry team and looking into violations, Radhakrishnan said: “They have constructed a concrete false ceiling that is unusual for such buildings. Internal construction deviations, such as metal projections erected inside the building, have been done without any structural planning. Even though the structure has not fallen, these come under the building deviation. Also, after a few hours of the incident, the pub has been sealed by the authorities concerned,” Radhakrishnan told DT Next.

It is noted that there is a legal dispute as the building has been converted into a commercial building. “The inquiry team will investigate in an unbiased manner and reports will be revealed after a detailed investigation by multiple departments. We are expecting a report covering all details on the deviations including building stability, property tax and others,” added the GCC commissioner.

A senior official with the GCC said there is a 20-year-old legal case over the building involving two property owners. However, it has nothing to do with violations, the official quipped.