Police say he is a diploma holder, but signed as an architect
TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: Goa police on Tuesday said that interrogation of arrested deputy town planner Prakash Bandodkar has revealed that the building contractor did not engage any architect in the construction of Ruby Residency and had himself signed as an architect to obtain the structural design.
In his reply to the anticipatory bail plea filed by the building contractor Vishwas B Desai in the South Goa Sessions Court, DySP S R Goltekar told the court that the contractor had allegedly projected himself as a qualified engineer though he is a diploma holder which does not permit him to sign as an engineer for a project. “Interrogation of Bandodkar revealed that the building contractor is fully responsible for the collapse of the building”, DySP Goltekar said, while praying for the rejection of Desai’s anticipatory bail plea.
While opposing the bail peal, the police contended that custodial interrogation of the contractor is required to identify the sub-contractors and suppliers of construction material including sand, cement and gravel and to attach the machinery used in the commission of the offence. “The applicant is required in police custody to trace the co-accused persons who have conspired and participated in the crime in connivance with government officials to obtain necessary licenses and assisted in the illegal land development and construction. The applicant is also required for the recovery of documents pertaining to the construction site. The office of the applicant has been sealed by the police as he was absconding and there was every possibility of him removing out certain documents to destroy evidence. The incident appears to be the result of poor quality construction and faulty structural designing which is under investigation”, the police said.
Investigations have revealed that the building was under construction stage and the occupancy certificate was obtained much prior to the completion without taking into consideration its structural safety aspects. “It appears during the investigations that the land used for construction site was filled with poor soil and on which the applicants and others criminally conspired to construct low standard constructed building for their own profit. The applicant has criminally conspired with other accused and government officers who have committed dereliction of duties”, the reply said.
Incidentally, the police said the applicant has submitted in his completion certificate that he is fully responsible for the structural safety and RCC design of the structure and that the erection of the building has been carried out under his supervision. “The applicant had further guaranteed that the material quality and grade was in accordance with general specification. The rescued victims and the deceased were not seen having any safety gear on themselves such as safety helmets, safety, shoes, jackets etc”, the police said.
