‘Auditor vouched for bridge 7 months before collapse’

MUMBAI: Even when a part of Himalaya bridge was visibly weak, structural auditor Neerajkumar Desai’s firm claimed it was in good condition in a report submitted seven months before it collapsed on March 14, killing seven people, the prosecution said. It was responding to Desai’s bail plea in which he alleged the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) did only superficial repairs to the foot overbridge (FOB).

Additional public prosecutor Mangesh Arote on Tuesday submitted an eight-page reply to the sessions court. According to the reply, Desai knew that the bridge was being used by many people and his report on the strength of the bridge would affect lives.

Last week, Azad Maidan police submitted its first charge sheet. The police have arrested four people, including 46-year-old Desai and BMC engineers. According to the prosecution, Desai’s firm was appointed to

conduct a structural audit of 82 Fobs, including Himalaya bridge, across the city in 2015.

It submitted a report, with photographs attached, to the bridges department on August 13, 2018. The prosecution said the report mentioned that the bridge is in good condition. It further said the firm’s opinion of the bridge contradicted the pictures and video submitted by it. Also, the photograph taken by Desai’s firm of the FOB showed that the part that collapsed was already rusted and in weak condition. The prosecution alleged Desai’s firm had not mentioned this. On Monday, Desai had approached the court for bail, claiming that his firm in 2016 pointed out that the FOB was structurally weak. He also alleged that repairs carried out by the civic body were the ultimate cause of damage.