The investigation into the Taratala warehouse collapse in Kolkata has resulted in the arrests of a structural engineer and a site supervisor. The tragic incident took place on June 24, 2026, and claimed the lives of nine workers, with several others sustaining injuries. Kamal Samanta, the structural engineer, and Syed Md Gulzar, the construction supervisor, were taken into custody as part of the ongoing inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the collapse.

In addition to these arrests, four other individuals, including the warehouse owner, Sambhunath Behra, and two labour contractors, Md Ataul and Subhas Sarkar, were detained for questioning. Police have not provided immediate details on a fifth individual who has also been detained. This move is part of the efforts by the Kolkata Police to understand the possible construction and design failures that led to this disaster.

Special Investigation Team Formed to Examine Collapse

In response to the incident, the Kolkata Police have established a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to conduct a thorough examination of the warehouse collapse. An order has been issued to transfer the case from the Taratala Police Station to the Detective Department, which will oversee the probe, examining all aspects of the construction project.

The investigation will scrutinise the structural design, the quality of materials utilised, the execution of the construction work, and the approval processes that enabled the project to proceed. Authorities reportedly suspect significant lapses may have occurred in the planning and execution stages of the project.

Officials are particularly focusing on the lease holder, construction company owners, and the individuals responsible for sanctioning the building plan. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, after inspecting the site, suggested that the collapse was due to a faulty design rather than weather-related factors. Civil engineers have indicated the presence of possible deficiencies in the load-bearing capacity of the framework and noted the absence of proper supportive structures.

Casualties and Rescue Operations

The structural failure occurred around noon, resulting in the roof and supporting beams collapsing during ongoing construction work. Tragically, five workers lost their lives, while approximately 20 others were rescued and transported to SSKM Hospital for treatment. Of these, three individuals are reported to be in critical condition.

Rescue operations were extensive, involving personnel from various agencies, including Kolkata Police, Fire and Emergency Services, and the Army. Crews worked tirelessly to unearth trapped workers, deploying heavy machinery, gas cutters, drones, and sniffer dogs to navigate through the rubble in search of survivors.

This disaster has prompted a broader evaluation of ongoing construction activities across Kolkata. Chief Minister Adhikari announced that all construction projects approved during the previous administration will be paused until July 31 for a comprehensive structural audit. This audit will involve a team comprised of representatives from multiple agencies, including the Public Works Department and Kolkata Police, under the chief secretary’s supervision.

Projects passing the structural audit will be permitted to resume on August 1. Similar inspections are expected to be extended to areas such as Howrah and Bidhannagar as part of an overall strategy to ensure construction safety and compliance.

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