Auditor Neeraj Desai arrested in connection with CSMT foot-over-bridge collapse
According to officials, Desai’s firm had reportedly carried out the structural audit of the bridge and declared it safe for use despite some corrosion in the structure
The structural auditor who had inspected the foot-over-bridge at CSMT was arrested on Monday in connection with its collapse last week, which claimed the life of six people.
According to officials, Neeraj Kumar Desai’s firm Prof DD Desai’s Associated Engineering Consultants and Analysts Pvt. Ltd. had reportedly carried out the structural audit of the Himalaya bridge last year.
In its report, submitted to civic authorities in August 2018, the firm declared it safe for use despite some corrosion in the structure.
“We detained Desai Sunday after ascertaining negligence on his part and arrested him,” Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone I) Abhishek Trimukhe told reporters.
Police also recorded statements of other officials, including Additional Municipal Commissioner, BMC, Sanjay Darade.
The bridge linking the bustling CSMT train station collapsed Thursday evening leading to the death of six and leaving 31 injured.
Police initially booked officials of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, which was responsible for its maintenance, and the Central Railway (CR) under section 304-A (Causing death by negligence) of the IPC, but rescinded the move later.
That section was removed and section 304-part II (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) of the IPC was imposed against Desai.
This is the first arrest in connection with the collapse of the bridge.
