MAZGAON BLDG CRASH: 3 BMC OFFICIALS HELD

MUMBAI: Four days after the Mazgaon building collapse, the Sewree police on Tuesday arrested three BMC officials, including the complainant in the case, on grounds of negligence.

The police held that timely action by officials concerned could have averted the collapse of the Baba Genu Market building, which claimed 61 lives.

The arrested officials were identified as PC Chavan, the complainant and deputy superintendent of BMC’S market department, Rahul Jadhav, assistant engineer, BMC, and Jamaluddin Kazi, the market inspector under whom the building falls.

The police said the officials failed to take action against an illegal alteration to the structure, despite a notice being sent in 2011 to the decorator who constructed a mezzanine floor in the building. The construction of the mezzanine floor is being looked at as one of the possible reasons for weakening of the structure.

Police said that Kazi’s office is located in the same premises as the collapsed structure. “He could have taken prompt action when Jain Decorators erected mezzanine floor with the support of the foundation pillars, however, he allegedly overlooked this,” said a police officer.

To assign responsibility of other BMC officials in the case, the police have sought all documents pertaining to the building. The probe will focus on events between 2011, when the notice was served, and the date of the collapse.

After the disaster, the BMC suspended seven officials and their roles are being investigated. A case under sections 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 336 (endangering life or personal safety of others), 338 (causing grievous hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others), 268 (public nuisance), 114 (abettor present when offence is committed) and 34 (acts of common intention) has been registered.