MOHALI: Death toll in the multi-storey building collapse in Punjab’s Mohali on Saturday rose to two with a 28-year-old man from Ambala, who was rescued from the debris, being declared dead at a hospital on Sunday.
Sunday, Abhishek Dhanwal (28) was declared dead in hospital, officiating Mohali DC Viraj Tidke said. Drishti Verma (20) from Theog in Himachal had succumbed to injuries Saturday night. She was in a critical condition when she was rescued.
Tidke said a magisterial probe has been ordered into the incident and a report has been sought within three weeks. Police have filed a case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder against owners of the building.
The case against the owners, Parwinder Singh and Gagandeep Singh, has been filed under Section 105 of BNS on Saturday night, said Mohali SSP Deepak Pareek, adding, “The two will be arrested soon. We will investigate the contractor’s involvement and take legal action.”
Sources said the likely cause of the collapse was excavation work in the basement of an adjoining building. “Water accumulated at the site because of damage to sewerage pipeline. As water seeped into the foundation of the five-storey building nearby, it failed to sustain the weight, initially tilting towards the adjacent plot before collapsing,” sources added.
Mohali municipal commissioner T Benith said notices have been issued to all buildings constructed beyond permissible limits in Sohana area where the incident took place. They have been asked to submit NOCs, other permissions and approvals.
Personnel of NDRF, Army, BSF, and Mohali police carried out the rescue operation, lasting over 23 hours to clear the debris. “The rescue operation was completed on Sunday. NDRF called off the operation after ascertaining that no one was suspected to be buried in the debris,” Tidke said.
