CRUMBLING STOREYS Builder, ex-society officials booked for Dahisar collapse

Mumbai: The police on Wednesday lodged an FIR against four men for negligence for Saturday's collapse of Piyush building in Dahisar (E). Seven people had died and seven were injured in the crash. No arrests have been made.      The accused are builder Nemji Gangar (65), former chairman Bhikabhai Dudhat (55), secretary Babubhai Patel (49) and watchman Maansingh Lamsal (40).      Gangar, Dudhat and Patel were aware that the structure was dangerous after the BMC served a notice to that effect in 2010, said the police. "But they did not pull it down," said an officer. Lamsal has been booked for discreetly allowing his family members stay in the vacant structure when he was specifically appointed to keep people away.      The ground-plus-four storeyed structure on Y Tawde Road was constructed between 1971 and 1981 by Gangar. It had 24 residential flats and 10 galas. In 2010, a portion of one of the galas collapsed. A structural engineer inspected the premises and opined that it was dangerous.      Subsequently, the BMC issued a notice to Patel on February 16. The building was evacuated and an inspection revealed that the building was in urgent need of repairs. The society management then informed the BMC that the structure would be redeveloped.      Following this, Lamsal was hired and 12-ft high tin sheets were installed around the structure to keep away outsiders. "When no repairs were undertaken within 60 days, the BMC filed a case against the society in the 39th metropolitan court in Vile Parle. The hearing of the case is still on," said sub-inspector Vijay Shingade.      The housing society approached Gangar for redeveloping the structure. When Gangar did nothing for 18 months, the society decided to approach another developer. In order to do so, the society needed a no-objection certificate and conveyance from Gangar. "But he kept dilly-dallying. Gangar hadn't paid stamp duty or registration at the time of purchase of the land," said the officer.      On Tuesday, assistant municipal commissioner Santoshkumar Donde submitted a report to the Dahisar police on the action taken by the BMC in 2010 and the society's history. Based on this report, an FIR was registered.      (Inputs by Linah Baliga)  DEMAND FOR SPECIAL CELL  Standing committee chairman Rahul Shewale on Wednesday said that a separate cell should be formed to tackle cases of dilapidated buildings in the city. "A white paper giving the summary of dilapidated buildings should be tabled by this cell," he said. Samajwadi party leader Rais Shaikh demanded that the civic officials suspended for the collapse of Altaf Mansion in Mahim be named in the FIR  Dahisar Crash  7 people were killed and 7 injured when Piyush co-operative housing society building collapsed on June 22. Persons booked for the collapse are ex-chairman Bhikabhai Dudhat (55), secretary Babubhai Patel (49), builder Nemji Gangar (65), watchman Maansingh Lamsal (40)  Charges & Punishment  IPC Section 304 A (causing death due to negligence): Jail term of up to 2 years or with fine or both  IPC Section 337 (causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others): Jail term of up to six months, or a maximum fine of Rs 500 or both IPC Section 338 (causing grievous hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others): Jail term of up to 2 years or a maximum fine of Rs 1,000 or both  IPC Section 34 (Act done by several persons in furtherance of common intention)