The July Collapse

A section of the building in Bhandari Compound’s Gangaramwadi area gave way on the night of July 30, around 9:30 PM, when many residents were returning home from work or preparing dinner. The collapse occurred in the affected B Wing, located in the Narpoli locality, trapping several people under the rubble. Local residents and police rushed to the scene, soon joined by firefighters and emergency medical services. The rescue operation lasted through the night, with teams working tirelessly to pull out survivors and retrieve the deceased.

The structure had previously been deemed unsafe and unfit for habitation by civic authorities. Records show that the building department had issued a notice declaring the B Wing dangerous and ordering its immediate evacuation. However, many residents had ignored the notice, either due to lack of alternative accommodation or because they were unaware of the imminent danger. Moreover, the wing was allegedly unauthorised, with no proper construction permits or building approvals.

Investigations revealed that repair work was indeed underway at the time of the collapse. Authorities suspect that the repair activities may have compromised the building’s already weakened structure, leading to its sudden collapse. They are looking into whether the repair work was carried out following safety protocols and whether the contractors involved had the necessary qualifications and permits.

Who Police Have Arrested

Shaikh, a prominent local businessman, is described as the business partner of Bilal Ahmed Abubakar Khan, a wealthy developer and the owner of the land on which Kohinoor Apartments was built. Shaikh and Khan are believed to have been involved in several real estate projects together in and around Bhiwandi. Shaikh’s arrest follows that of Amritlal Nishad, a 49-year-old resident of the building who was arrested earlier for his alleged role in the repair work and fund collection.

Contractor Ashok Paswan, who was reportedly carrying out the repair work, also died in the collapse. His death, along with that of 10 other residents, has left families devastated. Many survivors are now living in temporary shelters provided by the local administration, struggling to come to terms with their loss and the uncertain future ahead.

Investigation Focus

Police say that questioning Shaikh could provide valuable insights into the building’s ownership structure, its construction history, and the repair activities that were being carried out. Officers are examining whether the repair work had the necessary permissions and whether any safety measures were in place. They are also looking into whether previous complaints or violations regarding the building were reported to civic authorities and the actions taken in response.

With Shaikh now in custody, attention is focused on Khan. Authorities are working on extraditing him from the UAE, where he is believed to have fled before the collapse. Investigators hope that Khan’s return will help them establish the full sequence of events leading up to the tragedy and determine the extent of his responsibility for the alleged construction and safety failures. They are also looking into the possibility of other individuals or entities being involved in the affair and will make additional arrests if warranted by the investigation.