Siddhi apartment builders arrested

In its continued drive against builders of weak constructions that were reduced to rubble during the recent quake on January 26, the Shahibaug police on Saturday arrested Babu Dahya Patel, 48, and Natwarlal Motilal Patel, 59, builders of the Siddhi Apartments behind the Shahibaug post office.

In another case, the Vejalpur police arrested Nitinkumar Shah, builder of Swapna Sakar building opposite Anjali Cinema and resident of Vitrag Society, Paldi in Ahmedabad. The collapse of the society had led to the death of 26 persons on the Republic day.

Four persons had been died after Siddhi Apartments collapsed while six others were injured on the fateful day.
The arrests were made after a complaint was registered by Siddhi apartment resident Rajesh Kumar Sajjankumar Jain on February 5 against Babu Patel, Natwar Patel, structural engineer Kanu Gajjar and responsible officials of the AMC.

Mr Jain in his complaint had said it was the nexus of the builders and AMC officials that was responsible for the poor quality of construction of Siddhi Apartments. Shahibaug police inspector N.N. Pathan has registered a case and has initiated a probe in the case.

In case of Swapna Sakar society, the arrest was made following a complaint by Piyush Manu Shah, resident of Jawaharnagar society, opposite Anjali Society on February 6. The Vejalpur police inspector Mr Joshi has registered a complaint against Nitinkumar Shah.

Meanwhile metropolitan magistrate L.J. Mehta has conceded a three day remand of Virji Vallabh Patel, builder of the collapsed Shrinath Apartments at Maninagar.

Republished from Asian Age