A man who had supplied labourers to the site of the five-storeyed unauthorised under-construction building in Garden Reach that collapsed
and killed 12 people last month was arrested on Monday morning.
Police said Sheikh Ripon, 38, has been arrested in connection with the building collapse on March 17.
“Ripon was the labour contractor and was actively engaged at the construction
site. He was aware of the illegality of the building but did not do anything to raise
an alarm,” said a senior officer at the Kolkata Police headquarters in Lalbazar on
Monday.
Earlier, the police had arrested two men in connection with the case — the developer and one of the owners of the plot of land on which the building was being
constructed.
Mohammad Wasim, the developer, was arrested the same day the building collapsed and crashed on adjoining tile-roofed houses occupied by families. Pappu, who has formally been named a suspect by the police, was arrested a few days after that.
Ripon, Wasim and Pappu were produced before Alipore court on Monday. Wasim and Pappu’s date of court production coincided with Ripon’s.
Chief public prosecutor at Alipore court, Sourin Ghosal, said the prosecution sought a day’s police remand for Pappu and 14 days police remand for Ripon.
Wasim’s lawyer moved a bail petition but the prosecution objected and submitted a prayer for a 14-day judicial remand for him.
“The court has allowed the prayer for Pappu’s 1-day police remand and Ripon’s 14-day police custody. The prayer for a 14-day judicial remand for Wasim has also been accepted,” Ghosal said.
In addition to this, the prosecution had submitted a separate prayer for being allowed to interrogate Wasim in jail custody. The court had allowed this prayer, too,
Ghosal said.
All three have been charged under sections for murder, attempt to murder, negligent conduct in pulling down or repairing a building, mischief and common
intention.
The charges, if proved before the court, could lead to a maximum punishment of death.
