Why proceed with Mumbra building collapse trial? Bombay HC to police

Mumbai: The Bombay high court on Friday rapped the police for allegedly conducting a ‘shoddy investigation’ into the collapse of a Mumbra building in 2013 in which 44 lives were lost.

The court also asked the state as to why so many buildings are collapsing in and around Mumbai and what are the authorities doing about it. The bench was hearing a public interest litigation seeking an expedited probe into the collapse of a seven-storey building in Thane in 2013. While 44 people were killed, 62 were injured in the incident.

The court noted that on last hearing in July, 2017, the Thane police report had said that they had recorded the statement of only four men, who had supplied the material for the said building.  

After perusing today’s report, the court said the police’s probe is nothing but eyewash and further said the authorities should show some sensitivity towards the victims. “If this is the condition of a probe, which the court is monitoring, we wonder what the police and the civic administration do in the matters that do not reach the court at all.”

The court added, “There is really no sensitivity on part of the probe team. This is certainly not the way to proceed with a case. We fail to understand why are you even proceeding with the trial.”