Charges framed in 2013 Thane building collapse case

More than three years after the collapse of an unauthorised building in the district in which 74 lives were lost, a district court here today framed charges against 27 people.
The charges were framed under sections 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 120-B (criminal conspiracy) and other relevant sections of IPC, apart from the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The 7-storey building at Lucky Compound near Shil Phata collapsed on April 4, 2013.
The building had no permissions, and people were already living in it though construction was underway. It was alleged that the builders had paid bribes to the local leaders and Thane Municipal Corporation officials to turn a blind eye to the unauthorised construction.

It was also alleged that the builders encouraged people to live there so that it may not be demolished.
District judge V V Bambarde today framed charges against the 27 accused, which include builders Jameel Qureshi and Salim Sheikh, the then deputy municipal commissioners Deepak Chavan and Srikant Sarmokdam, NCP corporator Hira Patil and others.
In May 2015, while deciding bail applications of some of the accused, the Bombay High Court had asked the lower court to expedite the proceedings, said special public prosecutor Shishir Hirey.
Most of the accused are out on bail.