Educationist among 5 held in building collapse case

Police, on the lookout for him as he was stated to be "out of town," was formally arrested at a private hospital in the city where he was admitted for diabetes on Monday.

Founder of many educational institutions including the Satyabama University, Jeppiaar was allowed to continue with his medical treatment but police personnel have been posted at the hospital, police said.

Police yesterday arrested Jeppiaar's nephew Mariya wilson, Director of the Jeppiyar Institute of Technology in Kunnam village where the mishap occurred on August 6, and three others, including two civil contractors.

A case under various IPC sections including 338 (causing grievous hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others) have been booked against all the arrested persons, police added.

Workers from Assam and Odisha were killed in the mishap at Kunnam in Kancheepuram district and preliminary investigation had revealed that those engaged for the project did not have any experience or exposure to such work, police said.

The Institution management had not obtained proper permission for taking up the Rs two crore project, a police release said.

The investigation also revealed that the process of constructing the building was flawed, with no adequate time provided for the curing of the wall, and the materials used were of inferior quality.