As rescue operations continue, the Kolkata police are unable to get an accurate count of the workers who were present at the under-construction warehouse in Taratala on Wednesday, as no attendance records were maintained.
Given the dearth of official figures, the police are left with no precise count on how many workers may remain trapped beneath the rubble.
The police had initiated a suo motu case in connection to the incident on Thursday and named five individuals in the FIR. Among those mentioned, the body of the main contractor, Asgar Hussain, was recovered from the debris on Thursday morning.
Who all were arrested
The police have arrested the other four individuals named in the FIR including Mohammad Gulzar, a building supervisor for ‘Ayan Traders’, the firm involved in constructing the warehouse roof.
In addition to this, Shambhunath Behera, the owner of ‘Behera Brothers,’ the company that had taken the Kolkata Port land on lease to build the warehouse, has been arrested.
Kamal Samanta, in charge of constructing the iron framework; Dibakar Bhandari, entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring supply of labourers at the site, and Abdul Hamid, the broker in charge of securing building plan approvals from the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, have also been arrested.
Death toll stands at 11
In a press conference at Lalbazar on Thursday afternoon, Kunal Agarwal, Kolkata’s Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime), said that the number of fatalities in the incident has increased to 11, while 19 others are undergoing treatment at Kolkata’s SSKM Hospital.
Criminal history of accused
Police have also been learnt that Shambhunath’s wife is a partner in his firm.
Mohammad Gulzar and Asgar Hussain had allegations of criminal activity against them. While Gulzar had previously been implicated in an assault case in Ekbalpur, two cases were filed against Hussain – one registered at South Port Police Station in 2013, and another involving kidnapping at Ekbalpur Police Station.
The investigation
Agarwal said that multiple police teams are currently working on the case and a list of individuals who will be interrogated has been prepared.
The police may also speak with those rescued from the spot and examine their mobile phones to check for any relevant information, he said.
The Kolkata Police have requested all land documents pertaining to the underconstruction warehouse at Taratala from the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), and the role of civic officials associated with the land deal will also be scrutinized.
Suvendu holds TMC responsible
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Thursday held the previous Trinamool Congress (TMC) government responsible for the Taratala mishap, claiming that the blueprint of the collapsed warehouse bore the signature of former Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim.
The state government has also ordered a complete halt to all construction work in Kolkata and its surrounding areas until July 31, during which a mega audit of all land purchases will be carried out.