Mumbai building collapse: Police may question Shiv Sena leader, contractor together

Siddhi Sai building collapsed on July 25 and killed 17 people

Police may interrogate the two accused in the Ghatkopar building collapse together. Shiv Sena leader and prime accused Sunil Shitap, who allegedly made illegal alteration to the building, and Anil Mandal, who supervised the renovation, are in police custody till August 2.

The Mumbai police have sent samples collected from the collapsed building to Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) to check the “content quality”. (HT FILE)

Siddhi Sai building collapsed on July 25 and killed 17 people. The police said Mandal had undertaken the renovation work with no degree or expertise. “Mandal was involved in planning and execution of the civil work,” said Sachin Patil, deputy commissioner of police, zone 7 adding that none of those involved in renovation had a proper degree.

“Mandal was managing everything — from supervising the work to paying the labourers. We suspect the labourers followed his instructions and tampered with the pillars. Shitap had planned to turn the property into a hospital and we have found out who was supposed to run it,” said an officer.

Investigations revealed that few months ago Shitap had leased out his property to a nursing hom, which was shut for the past one month for renovations. The police have accused Mandal of making structural changes to the building despite knowing that it was old.

The police are now looking for Ranjeet Agale, the architect of the building. “Agale was the building’s architect and we are looking for him,” said the officer.