The political fallout from the deadly collapse of an under-construction warehouse in Kolkata’s Taratala intensified on Friday after former Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim denied having any role in approving the building plan cited by the state government.
The controversy erupted a day after West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari told the Assembly that the sanctioned building plan carried the signature of former Mayor and senior Trinamool Congress leader Firhad Hakim. The collapse on June 24 left 14 people dead and 19 injured, according to Kolkata Police.
Rejecting the allegation, Hakim said the office of the Mayor does not sanction building plans.
Firhad Hakim rejects allegation over building approval
Speaking to ANI, Hakim said, “The Mayor does not sign any building plan. Neither does the Mayor go into the details. No Mayor does this.”
His response came amid mounting questions over accountability following one of the city’s deadliest construction accidents in recent years.
Meanwhile, senior TMC MLA Kunal Ghosh backed the Chief Minister’s tough stand but said accountability should not stop with a handful of arrests.
“We fully support the Chief Minister’s tough stand and statement. But if only four or five people are arrested, and all those in high positions are not arrested, then it won’t work. The Chief Minister said that the building plan has the former Mayor’s signature. Then arrest him. Don’t just use such a document for political pressure,” Ghosh said.
KMC halts construction work across Kolkata
In the aftermath of the collapse, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has suspended all construction activity within its jurisdiction until July 31 or until further orders.
In its public notice, the civic body said the emergency measure was taken after the collapse of the under-construction building trapped several labourers, caused loss of life and posed risks to rescue personnel.
Invoking Section 37 of the KMC Act, 1980, the corporation directed builders, developers, societies and individuals across Boroughs I to XVI to stop construction work during the period.
Rescue operations are still underway as authorities continue to assess structural safety and search the debris.
Five arrested, SIT probing warehouse collapse
The police investigation has also gathered pace.
Kolkata Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) Kunal Agrawal said a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and the Detective Department are jointly investigating the incident.
He said a suo motu FIR was registered against five named individuals and others. Four of those named in the FIR have been arrested, while another person not originally named has also been taken into custody.