BJP blames Delhi Govt for collapse, demands judicial probe

BJP on Tuesday held the Sheila Dikshit government responsible for the East Delhi building collapse and demanded a judicial probe into the incident in which at least 66 people lost their lives.

BJP on Tuesday held the Sheila Dikshit government responsible for the East Delhi building collapse and demanded a judicial probe into the incident in which at least 66 people lost their lives.

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Senior BJP leader V K Malhotra blamed the flood control department as well as Delhi Jal Board for failing to prevent water accumulation in the area which weakened the foundation of the building.

"This is not an accident. It is a kind of murder," the Leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly, alleged.

Earlier, Delhi Finance Minister A K Walia had said that stagnant water in the basement had weakened the building and that may be one of the reasons for the collapse.

It was responsibility of the Delhi Government to ensure that the flood waters were channelled out, Malhotra said.

"Preventing flood water from entering into residential areas was the responsibility of the Delhi Jal Board and the Flood Control Department which function under the Delhi Government," he said.

The BJP leader also alleged that the owner of the building was "closely linked to the ruling Congress party."