Mahim collapse: Cops may book 3 suspended BMC engineers

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) three suspended engineers in Altaf Mansion collapse are likely to be booked by the police.

The Mahim police on Thursday wrote to the BMC asking for the reports that were considered before suspending the engineers.

“We will examine the reports and book the engineers if they have any role in the collapse,” said Avinash Sonawane, senior inspector of Mahim police station.

“Considering the sensitivity of the case, we expect the BMC to respond to our request soon.”

Another police official said that they have learnt about the civic body’s negligence and failure to act on the complaints regarding the unauthorised additions and alterations to the building.

On Monday, municipal commissioner Sitaram Kunte suspended three engineers from the building and factory department for negligence and failure to act on the complaints made by lawyer Rizwan Merchant.

“The engineers did not act on the complaints despite being given photographic evidence by the complainant. Instead, they prepared an inspection report stating that no construction activity was going on at the site,” said Kunte.

Merchant, who had complained to the BMC, said the police must arrest the engineers in the case.