Court rejects Sunil Shitap’s bail plea in Ghatkopar building collapse

A SESSIONS court has once again rejected the bail application of Sunil Shitap, arrested in connection with the Ghatkopar building collapse in July that claimed 12 lives.

Shitap, a Shiv Sena worker, is alleged to have made structural changes to the building, Siddhi Sai Apartment in Ghatkopar (West), leading to its collapse. His earlier bail plea was rejected in August by the sessions court. He had then approached the Bombay High Court, which directed him to once again approach the sessions court since the filing of the chargesheet had resulted in a change in circumstances.

Shitap had submitted that cracks had developed in the pillars of the building constructed in 1983 and that it was in a dilapidated condition. He had further claimed that he was arrested due to political rivalry.

The prosecution had claimed that the chargesheet showed that the changes made by Shitap to the building were unauthorised.