Former Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim has strongly denied any involvement in the approval of the building plan connected to a warehouse that collapsed in Taratala on June 26, resulting in the deaths of 14 individuals and injuring another 19. He asserts that the role of a mayor does not entail the authority to sanction such construction plans and thus claims innocence regarding the allegations made against him.

The accusations surfaced after Chief Minister Adhikari informed the Assembly that the signed building plan was attributed to Hakim, who is a senior leader of the Trinamool Congress (TMC). In his response to these claims, Hakim emphasised that mayors do not directly sign or oversee building plans, reiterating, “No Mayor does this.” His comments aimed to delineate the responsibilities associated with the position and to clarify his lack of involvement.

Reactions from TMC and Construction Suspension

Reacting to the situation, TMC MLA Kunal Ghosh voiced full support for the Chief Minister’s position, insisting that if only a handful of individuals face arrest while those in higher positions evade accountability, such measures would be ineffective. He challenged authorities to act transparently, stated, “If the building plan bears the former Mayor’s signature, then arrest him. Do not use such documents merely for political leverage.”

In light of the tragic collapse, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has issued a public announcement suspending all construction activities within its jurisdiction until July 31, 2026, or until further notice. The KMC’s directive is a precautionary measure, aiming to prevent any further incidents in light of the recent disaster that caused considerable loss of life and ongoing risks to those involved in rescue efforts.

The KMC notice elaborated on the need for this suspension, citing the emergency situation arising from the collapse of the under-construction building, which trapped labourers and necessitated an extensive rescue operation. The notice aimed to ensure public safety and mitigate further risks to individuals in construction zones.

Ongoing Investigations and Arrests

Authorities continue to conduct rescue operations at the collapse site while assessing the severity of damage and evaluating safety concerns. Kolkata’s Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime), Kunal Agrawal, announced that five individuals have been taken into custody as part of the investigation linked to the warehouse collapse. Agrawal indicated that a Special Investigation Team (SIT), in cooperation with the Detective Department (DD), is overseeing the inquiries.

The police have filed a suo motu FIR against five people and others connected to the case. Among those named in the FIR, four individuals have been arrested, while an additional suspect, not mentioned in the initial report, has also been apprehended. These arrests underscore the authorities’ commitment to investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident comprehensively.

As investigations proceed, the focus remains on ensuring accountability while providing assistance to those affected by the collapse. The unfolding events reflect the seriousness with which local authorities are treating the incident and the commitment to addressing safety regulations in construction practices.

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