Despite initial assurances of severe action against guilty officials responsible for the Dockyard Road building mishap, the BMC has now done a sudden volte-face saying they cannot be accused of negligence in this matter. The civic body will inform the police not to charge these officials for culpable homicide, confirmed a top official. The Babu Genu Market civic building at Dockyard Road collapsed last week killing 60 people. While three officials have been arrested by the police in connection with this mishap, the BMC has suspended seven officials and initiated an inquiry against 11 officials. Additional municipal commissioner Mohan Adtani, while speaking in a civic standing committee on Thursday, claimed the lapses have been only of civil nature, not criminal. “On the basis of prima facie probe, the officials have been suspended. But it has been observed that the intent was not criminal. Hence they cannot be charged with culpable homicide. We will inform the commissioner of police to drop these charges. But the civic body will take disciplinary action against these officials,” said Mr Adtani. The same procedure would be applied to the Altaf Mansion collapse case at Mahim in which the police will be told not to charge civic officials with culpable homicide. However, Mr Adtani’s reply evoked strong reactions from the furious standing committee members who accused the administration of trying to shield top civic officials. BJP corporator Manoj Kotak said, “The negligence of civic officials has been proven. It is shocking to see that the civic administration is still not serious about taking action against guilty officials.”
