Mumbai building collapse: Jeweller denied pre-arrest bail

MUMBAI: A city court on Wednesday rejected the anticipatory bail application of a jeweller accused of criminal neglignce which resulted in the partial collapse of a six-storeyed building here killing 28 people.

Kailash Jain, who owned Vardhaman Jewellers on the ground floor of the building, had made the bail plea which was turned down looking at the seriousness of the incident and also because he was not present in the court in spite of the sessions judge's directions.

A part of `Laxmi Chhaya' building in suburban Borivali collpased on July 17.

Jain is alleged to have done some major structural changes inside his shop which is suspected to have caused the collapse.

Jain's brother Sanjay was arrested on Sunday.

The prosecution had said that Kailash Jain had taken possession of two shops on the ground floor of the building from an electrician on July 15 and made structural changes that damaged the columns supporting the structure, resulting in the collapse.