Building Collapse in Surat: Seven Lives Lost, FIR Registered Against Owners

In a tragic incident, a six-storey building in Surat, Gujarat, collapsed on July 7, claiming the lives of seven people and injuring over a dozen others. The building, located in the Pal area, was a residential complex that housed migrant textile workers and their families. The poor quality construction of the building, which was less than 10 years old, is believed to be the primary cause of the collapse.

The Surat Police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against the building’s owners, Raj Kakadiya and his mother Ramilaben Kakadiya, and Ashwin Vekariya, who collected rent from the occupants. Vekariya has been arrested, and efforts are underway to apprehend the other two accused.

The building, which was constructed in 2016-17, was in a dilapidated condition, and the Surat Municipal Corporation had issued a notice to the owners on April 26 to vacate the premises due to the danger it posed. However, a few families continued to live there on rent, unaware of the risks they were taking.

The rescue operation, which lasted for about three hours, involved teams from the National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Response Force, police personnel, and the Fire Brigade. The operation was successful in rescuing one person, Kashish Sharma (23), who was rushed to the New Civil Hospital, where her condition is reported to be stable.

The bodies of the deceased, most of whom were migrant workers from Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, have been identified as Hiraman Kevat (40), Abhishek (35), Brijesh God (50), Shivpujan Kevat (26), Anmol Harijan (17), Parvesh Kevat (21), and Lalji Kevat (40). The police have booked the accused under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including Section 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder).

The incident highlights the importance of ensuring the safety and well-being of citizens, particularly migrant workers who often face challenges in accessing basic amenities and services. It also underscores the need for strict enforcement of building codes and regulations to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.

As the investigation continues, the police are working to determine the exact cause of the collapse and to bring the accused to justice. The incident serves as a reminder of the need for vigilance and accountability in ensuring the safety of our communities.

Historical Context:

The collapse of the six-storey building in Surat, Gujarat, is a stark reminder of the importance of ensuring the safety and well-being of citizens, particularly migrant workers who often face challenges in accessing basic amenities and services. This incident highlights the need for strict enforcement of building codes and regulations to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.

In recent years, there have been several instances of building collapses in India, resulting in loss of life and property. Some notable examples include:

• The 2013 Mumbai building collapse, which killed 74 people and injured over 60
• The 2017 Amritsar building collapse, which killed 10 people and injured over 20
• The 2018 Thane building collapse, which killed 17 people and injured over 30

These incidents have led to increased scrutiny of building construction and maintenance practices, as well as calls for stricter enforcement of building codes and regulations.

Summary in Bullet Points:

• A six-storey building in Surat, Gujarat, collapsed on July 7, killing seven people and injuring over a dozen others
• The building was constructed in 2016-17 and was in a dilapidated condition, with the Surat Municipal Corporation issuing a notice to vacate the premises in April 2019
• The police have registered a FIR against the building’s owners, Raj Kakadiya and his mother Ramilaben Kakadiya, and Ashwin Vekariya, who collected rent from the occupants
• Vekariya has been arrested, and efforts are underway to apprehend the other two accused
• The rescue operation involved teams from the National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Response Force, police personnel, and the Fire Brigade
• The bodies of the deceased have been identified, and the police have booked the accused under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including Section 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder)
• The incident highlights the importance of ensuring the safety and well-being of citizens, particularly migrant workers who often face challenges in accessing basic amenities and services
• The police are working to determine the exact cause of the collapse and to bring the accused to justice
• The incident serves as a reminder of the need for vigilance and accountability in ensuring the safety of our communities.