MUMBAI: The Mankhurd Police on Monday arrested the contractor and the chawl owner after six people were killed when an unauthorized four-storey structure collapsed onto a neighbouring hutment in New Mandala on Saturday night.On Saturday at around 8. 30pm due to heavy rains and gusty weather the alleged illegal two storey structure at Janta nagar trapped its occupants and the neighbouring house under its debris. The locals and the Ward office later informed the police that the building, allegedly constructed without the required permissions and in violation of safety norms.Police said the accused identified as Abdul Wahid and Gulam Raza Sayyed were produced before the court and were remanded to police custody.Based on a complaint lodged by Mohammad Mukhtar Abdul Ali Shaikh, 53, the Mankhurd Police registered an FIR under Sections 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).The FIR alleges that the building owner and contractor knowingly carried out the unauthorized construction without following mandatory safety protocols. It further states that despite being aware that the structure had become dangerous, they failed to take any corrective measures or ensure the safety of the adjacent hutment.As a result, the building collapsed, killing six residents of the hut.Police said the case has also been registered against the hutment owner and other private individuals and government officials who allegedly knowingly facilitated or abetted the illegal construction.Deputy Commissioner of Police Sameer Shaikh confirmed that two persons have been arrested in the case, while efforts are underway to identify the role of other accused, including officials suspected of having enabled the unauthorized structure. Further investigation is in progress.
