Crime Branch to probe Goa building collapse

The Crime Branch will probe the collapse of an under construction building which killed 31 people in Goa's southern town of Canacona, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said Monday.

Parrikar was speaking to reporters in Margao, 35 km from here.

"The case is being handed over to the Crime Branch. Let them investigate and get to the bottom of the matter," he said.

The opposition and civil society activists have accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government of going soft on the real estate company constructing the five-storey building in Canacona 75 km from here.

The Goa government has instituted a probe headed by a retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, while one town planning official has been arrested.

Vishwas Dessai, a builder who is one of the three partners of the Navi Mumbai-based Bharat Developers and Realtors, surrendered to police last week.

Two directors of the company, Jagdeep Sehgal and non-resident Indian Pradeep Singh Birring, are said to be missing.