Owner of collapsed New Delhi building arrested, 38 buildings evacuated

[News_Editor]

Owner of collapsed New Delhi building arrested, 38 buildings evacuated

2010-11-17 20:42:46 GMT+7 (ICT)

NEW DELHI, INDIA (BNO NEWS) -- Local authorities on Wednesday arrested the owner of a New Delhi building that collapsed on Monday leaving 67 people killed, officials said.

Local authorities had charged Amrit Singh, 55, the building owner, of culpable homicide not amounting to murder. However, Singh fled with his family following the incident, and police stated that they were looking for him.

On Wednesday, New Delhi police were able to locate and detained Singh, who said he had followed all rules in the construction, and had not bribed ministers or officials.

"We were keeping a constant vigil on his movements,"said I.B. Rani, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police East Delhi.

"Based on a tip-off, at around seven in the evening, we arrested him from his relative's house in the Geeta Colony area. The interrogation and questioning is presently underway," Rani added.

Singh was presented before the Karkardooma court in New Delhi, and was sent to two days' police custody. An inquiry will be conducted, which will be submitted within 90 days.

In addition, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has requested the evacuation of 38 "dangerous" buildings in the eastern area of new Delhi.

"During a survey, basements of at least 38 buildings were found to be water-filled." said MCD spokesperson Deep Mathur. "We have issued them notice to vacate their houses immediately for their safety."

Local police officers said that on Monday, at around 8:15 p.m. local time, the 15-year-old building collapsed into Lalita Park area of Laxmi Nagar in the eastern area of the city due to a weakened structure because of the ongoing monsoon season bringing heavy rains to the region and flooding the Yamuna River into the area. According to reports, the basement, as the 38 buildings', was waterlogged for the last two months.

Furthermore, an illegal fifth floor was under construction over the building, which was being rented to migrant laborers. Residents in the area say around 400 to 500 people had been living in the building.

An official from India's Health Ministry confirmed the number of deaths and injured, but as the team of 250 rescue workers continue to clean out the area, it is believed that at least 20 people are still trapped under the rubble. However, heavy rains have hampered rescue work.

"I regret the loss of life. In this area, there has been a lot of unauthorized construction," Lt. Governor Tejinder Khanna said. "Builders don't pay attention to safety. This is the Yamuna bed, foundations have to be strong."

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