Flyover collapse: Toll reaches 26, one more arrested

Tanmay Sil, an assistant general manager of IVRCL, was arrested from Burdwan on Saturday afternoon. With him the total number of IVRCL officials arrested has gone up to four. Three officials, Pradip Saha, Debojyoti Mazumdar and Mallika Arjun who were arrested on Friday have been remanded in police custody till April 11 after being produced in the Bankshall Court.

Ranjit Bhattacharya, assistant vice-president (regional office) has been hospitalised since Thursday shortly after the accident took place. The counsels representing the accused pleaded that senior officials like Mallika Arjun, who is a senior assistant general manager, Debojyoti Mazumdar, an assistant manager (administration) should be granted bail as they were not directly involved in construction. Opposing the bail, the lawyer representing the state said that as investigation had just begun, the statement of the accused would be important for the case. The magistrate ordered nine days remand for the accused.

The police interrogated Priyotosh Bhattacharya, chief engineer of Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA) and two of his colleagues, Subhankar Bhattacharya and Shantanu Mondol. The chief engineer has been suspended by KMDA.

A team from Kolkata Police went to the Hyderabad office of IVRCL and served notice to six board members asking them to appear before the Kolkata Police, said Debashis Boral, Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) said on Saturday. He said that an office at Anandapur was sealed on Saturday. He said investigation was on to find out the role of the construction firm and that of KMDA.

Meanwhile, the residents of five premises situated close to the site of accident have vacated their houses. The police on Saturday opened the stretch on Rabindra Sarani that was affected due to the collapse of the girder to small cars. However, the portion of Vivekananda Road between Ganesh Talkies and Chittaranjan Avenue is yet to be opened.

Police had a trying time in keeping curious onlookers at bay. The accident site was cordoned off and KMC conservancy workers worked round the clock to clear the debris. A senior KMC official said another day would be required to clear the debris. The truck that got trapped under the girder is yet to be taken out. The body of the helper, Muhammad Rezzak, was extricated.

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi visited Calcutta Medical College and Hospital on Saturday morning and inquired about the condition of the victims who have been admitted to the hospital. He also spoke to some of the victims and assured them of every possible help.