Parel blaze: Builder sent to judicial custody

Supariwala was arrested on August 22 after a fire at the 16-storey Crystal Tower in Parel killed four persons.

The developer of Crystal Towers, Razak Ismail Supariwala, was remanded in judicial custody for two weeks by the Bhoiwada metropolitan court on Wednesday, after his police custody ended on the same day.

Razak Ismail Supariwala (HT file)

Supariwala was arrested on August 22 after a fire at the 16-storey Crystal Tower in Parel killed four persons. The Bhoiwada police told the court that they finished recording statements of the electricity contractor and fire contractor. The police said they need the developer’s custody as they are still not finished with the investigation.

On Monday, the police had told the court they needed Supariwala’s custody for the names of the fire, electricity and lift contractors. Advocate Dhaval Sanghoi, appearing for Supariwala, argued, “As the statements of the contractors have been recorded, there is no requirement of the physical custody of the accused.”

Meanwhile, 10-year-old Zen Sadavarte, who had helped people to safety during the blaze, was called for an “informal meet” with Narendra Barde, deputy municipal commissioner (DMC) on Tuesday to felicitate her efforts. “She is a sharp and intelligent child. She had several questions. We had a discussion,” said Barde. Zen said, “The officer wanted an account of what happened and he said, ‘Tell me the story’. I told him it is not just a story as people’s lives were lost.”

The Don Bosco student also asked several questions regarding sealing of the entrance while the fire was raging. The 48 families, residents of Crystal Towers meanwhile continue to live without proper access to electricity and water. Although water supply was partly restored, families on the higher floors can’t pump water. Zen’s father, Gunratan, said, “They have been using battery lamps and candles.”