On Tuesday, the Azad Maidan police arrested the executive engineer of the BMC in connection with the collapse of Himalaya bridge. The accused Anil Patil (53) was working with the bridges department of the civic body and was entrusted with the responsibility of inspection of the bridges and supervising the structural audit. Patil was associated with the BMC since 2014 and was suspended along with the Sandeep Kalkute, an assistant engineer and co-op accused in the case.
"Kakulte and Patil were not present at the time of structural audit of the bridge. As a result, there was a major lapse in supervision. After the Dahisar bridge collapsed in 2008, a manual issued by BMC stated that the assistant and executive engineer of the bridges department will be held responsible in case of any bridge collapse incident. The manual also stated that every bridge should be audited twice a year — in April and October. Patil has also been booked under section 304 (2) of the Indian Penal Code, said Deputy Commissioner of Police, Zone 1, Abhishek Trimukhe.
Kalkute has been sent to police custody till Friday, Patil shall be produced at Esplanade court on Wednesday.
While seeking police custody of assistant BMC Assistant Engineer SF Kakulte, the public prosecutor told the court that from the day of the structural audit, till the day the bridge had collapsed, the engineer had been absent from the spot. He had been absent at the time of auditing and tests being done on the bridge. The police are probing if this was done purposely for monetary gain. Kakulte has been remanded to police custody till April 5.
"Kakulte was associated with the Bridges Department of BMC and was reportedly assigned to supervise the audit and repairs of the CSMT FOB that collapsed. 39 bridges in South Mumbai were under the jurisdiction of Kakulte. It was his job to be present at the site when maintenance work was being carried out. After the inventory, he should ensure that his work is done as per his suggestions in case he has any," said Public Prosecutor Rajendra Suryawanshi.
"His absence right from the first day, till the date of the incident is something that has to be investigated. There are no notes of audit and repair, and if they exist then why they had not been submitted to the corporation," asked Suryawanshi.
Kakulte in his defence said, "I am a handicapped person and had to travel from Virar and due to heavy workload I could not visit the spot. I had also sought a transfer to another department."