Builders Vipul and Vivek Agrawal accused in Pune’s Kondhwa wall collapse were sent to judicial custody on Saturday, 6 July, till 20 July, by Pune Sessions Court, reported ANI.
As many as 15 people were killed after the wall of an apartment collapsed on adjacent shanties in Pune’s Kondhwa area early on Saturday morning, 29 June. The shanties reportedly housed labourers who were working at the neighbouring construction site.
“Fifteen people who died were from Bihar. National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) will give compensation to the families of the deceased, Rs 4 lakh for each victim. The collector will prepare a preliminary investigation report in another few hours. A committee has also been formed.”Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrakant Patil, as quoted by ANI
A case of culpable homicide was registered against developers of two residential projects, site engineers and labour contractors in connection with the Kondhwa wall collapse incident in which 15 persons were killed in the early hours of Saturday, an officer said. The accused builders are identified as Jagdishprasad Agarwal (64), Sachin Agarwal (34), Rajesh Jagdishprasad Agarwal (27) Vivek Agarwal (21) and Vipul Agarwal (21) of Alcon Landmarks, and Pankaj Vora, Suresh Shah and Rashmikant Gandhi of Kanchan Royal Exotica project for which excavation work was going on, a police officer said.
Both Chandrakant Patil and NCP leader Supriya Sule visited the site of the wall collapse on Saturday, 29 June.
Visuals from the scene showed several cars stuck in the debris, even as the roofs of the shanties appeared visibly damaged. According to NDTV, those killed include four children and a woman. The Indian Express reported that two men and a woman have been rescued and are being treated for multiple serious injuries.
Meanwhile, the Maharashtra government has set up an inquiry into the incident, and also announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh for the victims’ next of kin.
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RESCUE OPERATIONS UNDERWAY
According to ANI, a team from the National disaster Response Force (NDRF) is present on the scene and rescue operations are currently underway to search for more people feared to be stuck in the debris. The wall reportedly came crashing down around 1:45 am on Saturday.
WHY DID THE WALL COLLAPSE?
According to Pune District Collector Naval Kishore Ram, the wall collapse occurred due to heavy rainfall, coupled with negligence on part of the construction company.
Speaking to ANI, he said:
“The death of 15 people is not a small matter... The government will provide help to the affected.”Pune District Collector Naval Kishore Ram
WHAT HAS THE GOVERNMENT SAID?
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis tweeted regarding the incident, stating that he had directed the district collector to conduct an ‘in-depth inquiry’ into the incident.
City Mayor Mukta Tilak said that the Pune Municipal Corporation has issued orders to the construction company to stop work at the site.
“At the outset, it seems there was excess excavation done at the construction site alongside the compound wall. Both the developers who had built the wall and the ones who undertook the new construction are responsible and action will be taken against them.”Mukta Tilak, Mayor, Pune, to The Indian Express
Expressing grief over the victims of the accident, all labourers who hailed from Bihar, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar announced Rs 2 lakh compensation to the family members of victims and Rs 50,000 to those injured.
MUMBAI WALL COLLAPSES TOO
Meanwhile, Mumbai too saw a wall collapse incident in its Chembur region early Saturday morning. While no casualties have been reported from this incident, several rickshaws and cars were reportedly damaged in the aftermath.
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Pune and Mumbai have been witnessing heavy rainfall over the last few days, killing eight persons and injuring over five in rain-related incidents.
GEHLOT, MAMATA & OTHERS CONDOLE DEATHS
The Maharashtra Congress, Mahila Congress, Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot and West CM Mamata Banerjee offered their condolences to the families of the victims.
(With inputs from ANI and The Indian Express)
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