Panda Infra chief, engineer held over Odisha flyover collapse

An engineer and the chief of Panda Infra Projects Private Ltd were arrested on Monday in connection with the collapse of an under-construction flyover in the capital city of Odisha that left a man dead and 11 others injured.

Pratap Panda, chief of Panda Infra, the company that had undertaken the construction work of Bomikhal flyover here, was arrested after he surrendered before police, said Police Commissioner Y.B. Khurania.

Besides, Bansidhar Praharaj, Deputy Executive Engineer in the Works Department of the state government, has been arrested in connection with the mishap that took place on Sunday, said the Police Commissioner.

A case has been registered against Praharaj, Assistant Engineer Kishore Rout and directors of Panda Infra Project -- Pratap Panda, Sujata Panda and Santosh Panda.

They have been booked under different sections of the IPC including Section 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), Section 337 (causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others), Section 338 (causing grievous hurt) and Section 34 (a criminal act involving several persons).

Earlier in the day, the police commissionerate had sealed Panda Infra's office at Vivekananda Marg here.

Meanwhile, Public Works Secretary Nalinikanta Pradhan said Prahjaraj and Rout were suspended soon after the incident while Executive Engineer Dukhabandhu Behera was also placed under suspension following prima facie lapses.

He said a high-level probe had been launched into the incident by a committee, which had been asked to submit a report within a week.

Meanwhile, the Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC), taking suo motu cognizance of media reports, on Monday issued a notice to the state government to submit a report over the flyover collapse within 15 days.

The rights body has asked the Works Department Secretary and Police Commissioner to probe the matter and submit report within the stipulated time.

--IANS

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