Mumbai: 'Architect' of Ghatkopar building collapse lands in jail

Mandal had removed the walls of rooms on the ground floor, and pillars along with them. The structure was supported by iron rods. File pic

Parksite cops have arrested the 'architect'-cum-contractor, who planned and executed the renovation of Siddhi Sai building, which fell on July 25, claiming 17 lives. Police arrested Anil Mandal (28) on Saturday night, after his active involvement was revealed. He was produced in Bhoiwada holiday court on Sunday, which remanded him in police custody till August 2. An investigation has revealed that Mandal doesn't hold any architectural qualification, and was working on directions of Sunil Shitap, who owned the flats on the ground floor.

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Parksite police have arrested Shitap, who was carrying out structural changes on the ground floor for his nursing home. "During investigation we have learned that Shitap had a group of people to carry out civil work. Mandal was one of them," said a senior police officer. "Mandal knew that the pillars of the building had been destroyed, and had placed iron rods to support the structure," added the officer.

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No architectural qualification
"Mandal is more of a contractor, who gathered men for work and got it done. He doesn't hold any architectural qualification" said another officer close to the investigation. "Shitap used to tell Mandal his ideas of renovation, and Mandal carried them out. We still don't know whether they had taken any opinion about the pillars and columns of the building, and how to carry out the work, but it was Mandal, who was directing labourers to do the work," the officer added.

"Mandal broke the walls of three rooms to create a big space. While breaking these walls pillars were also broken, and the structure was supported by iron rods," he said.

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The police had questioned Mandal. His statements were corroborated by the statements of residents who saw him get the work done. "We arrested the accused after a detailed inquiry underlining his active role in the work. He was arrested on Saturday night," said DCP (Zone - 7) Sachin Patil.

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"Mandal was produced in the Bhoiwada Magistrate court yesterday, which remanded him in police custody till August 2," added DCP Patil. Parksite police have booked Mandal under IPC sections 304 (2) (Culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 338 (Causing grievous hurt) and 336 (Endangering life or personal safety of others).

Cops rope in experts
The police have now roped in experts from IIT-Bombay for their opinion over the material used and its quality. "We had already requested a forensic team for its help, now we have also written to IIT to give their opinion," said DCP Patil. "We have also asked the BMC's Building Proposal Department to give us the blueprint of the building which will help us understand it. We have also approached the Registrar for the records of the housing society," the DCP added.