Mahim building collapse: Kunte cracks the whip, suspends 3 officials

Admitting negligence by its officials in handling complaints made by advocate Rizwan Merchant, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Monday said it is suspending three of its officials in connection with the collapse of Altaf Mansion in Mahim.

Merchant, who lost three family members in the June 10 mishap, had called on mayor Sunil Prabhu and civic chief Sitaram Kunte on June 19. A dna report pointed out that officials from the G-North ward had submitted a “false report” on the building.

In its subsequent inquiry, the corporation announced the suspension of assistant engineer Chandrakant Shende, sub-engineer Digambar M Satam and junior engineer Pravin Rane, all from the building and factory proposals department.

Besides, then ward officer Narayan Pai (now retired) and then executive engineer Chitore (first name unknown) will face an inquiry. “Prima facie, it is seen that there was negligence on the part of these officials in handling Merchant’s complaints pertaining to damage to the building during 2008-09. Accordingly, their suspension has been ordered,” Kunte told the media.

The civic chief added that Pai will be questioned in this regard, as a probe can be initiated against an official within four years of his resignation. Apart from suspension, Kunte said further action will be decided upon after a thorough interrogation of the officials.

Meanwhile, when asked about BMC’s probe into the reason behind the building’s collapse, a senior civic official, requesting anonymity, said, “We are yet to know whether the damage to the basement or weight of the overhead tank and hoardings on the building caused the collapse,” the official added.