TEAM HERALD
PANJIM/CANACONA: In what appears to be a quiet requiem to the investigation into Canacona Ruby Residency collapse, where 31 people died, two of the accused government officers Pradeep Naik and Prashant Shirodkar have joined service again.
Pradeep Naik is the new administrative officer of Hospicio, Margao and Prashant Shirodkar is the under secretary, General administration.
Prashant Shirodkar, the Dy Collector, (also holding the charge of Chief officer of Canacona Municipality) when the under construction Ruby residency building collapsed on January 4 was arrested by Canacona police on Jan 13, 2014, under section 337, 338, 336, 304, 120B and section 7 and 13 of IPC.
One of the major allegations against the then CO was conniving with his municipal engineer and contractor/ builders of Bharat Developers for fraudulently issuing occupancy certificate to the project relying on an NOC/approval granted by the then deputy town planner, Canacona, Prakash Bandodkar.
Shirodkar was suspended following his arrest, lodged at Sada Jail under judicial custody, before being released on bail.
Pradeep Naik, who was holding full-fledged charge as CMC Chief Officer, before being promoted and posted as deputy collector Bicholim (and CMC charged handed over to Shirodkar) and was arrested under sections section 337, 338, 336, 304, 120B and section 7 and 13 of IPC. He and Shirodkar were subsequently suspended.
