Charges framed in 2013 Thane building collapse case

Thane, Aug 24 (PTI) More than three years after thecollapse of an unauthorised building in the district in which74 lives were lost, a district court here today framed chargesagainst 27 people. The charges were framed under sections 304 (culpablehomicide not amounting to murder), 120-B (criminal conspiracy)and other relevant sections of IPC, apart from the Preventionof Corruption Act. The 7-storey building at Lucky Compound near ShilPhata collapsed on April 4, 2013. The building had no permissions, and people werealready living in it though construction was underway. It wasalleged that the builders had paid bribes to the local leadersand Thane Municipal Corporation officials to turn a blind eyeto the unauthorised construction. It was also alleged that the builders encouragedpeople to live there so that it may not be demolished. District judge V V Bambarde today framed chargesagainst the 27 accused, which include builders Jameel Qureshiand Salim Sheikh, the then deputy municipal commissionersDeepak Chavan and Srikant Sarmokdam, NCP corporator Hira Patiland others. In May 2015, while deciding bail applications of someof the accused, the Bombay High Court had asked the lowercourt to expedite the proceedings, said special publicprosecutor Shishir Hirey. Most of the accused are out on bail. PTI COR KRK ZMNBAS