CM Fadnavis meets Ghatkopar building residents, assures no ownership to Sena leader

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday met the residents of Ghatkopar building and assured a strict action against the responsible people behind the building collapse that killed 17 people.

Fadnavis also assured alternative accommodation arrangements for the people and said that all necessary permissions would be issued for the reconstruction of the building.

Fadnavis, upon the request of the society members, also ensured that Shiv Sena leader Sunil Shitap, who was responsible for the building collapse, won't be given ownership in the reconstructed society.

The Chief Minister also said that incident would be registered under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) 302, punishment for murder, apart from the Section 304, causing death by negligence. He said that he is in consultations with legal experts seeking to invoke further sections into the incident.

The four-storey building in Ghatkopar collapsed around 10.45 a.m. on July 25 in which 17 people were crushed, including two toddlers.

Later an FIR was filed against Shitap by the residents. Shitap was held responsible after an extensive repair-work carried out in his maternity home on the ground floor triggered the building collapse.

Fadnavis later ordered an inquiry and asked the BMC commissioner to submit a report in 15 days.