Builder, architect sent to jail for 3 yrs for '98 Thane building collapse

The builder and the architect of a building that collapsed in 1998 killing 18 persons, were sentenced to three years in jail by a court here today.
District Judge Vilas Bambarde convicted builder Sharad Bhai Mansingh Pawar and architect Anand Ashtaputre and sentenced them to three years in prison for the collapse of the "Sairaj" building in Wagle Estate here.
The five-storeyed building, constructed on a nullah using sub-standard construction material, caved in on November 7, 1998, killing 18 persons.
The police, at the time, had registered cases under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, including those dealing with causing death by negligence, against nine persons.

While one of the accused, Ramaswamy Ramanna, died during the pendency of the trial, the other six were acquitted today.
Lawyers Punit Mahimkar, Pravin Kulkarni and GB Chavan appeared for the accused.