Following the collapse of the Kohinoor building in Bhiwandi that claimed 10 lives, police are investigating unauthorized repair works. While the owner flees to Dubai, displaced migrant families are forced to return to their home states.

Key Takeaways

  • At least 10 people died in the Kohinoor building collapse in Bhiwandi.
  • Police are probing if a deceased mason was acting as an unauthorized contractor.
  • The building owner has fled to Dubai and faces culpable homicide charges.
  • Displaced migrant families are abandoning their livelihoods to return to their villages.

A massive tragedy struck the Gangaramwadi area of Bhiwandi, Thane district, when a wing of the dilapidated four-storey Kohinoor building collapsed, resulting in at least 10 fatalities. As the dust settles, the focus of the investigation has shifted toward the unauthorized structural repairs that allegedly preceded the disaster.

Probing the Role of Unauthorized Contractors

Investigators are currently working to determine if Ashok Paswan, one of the victims, was the contractor responsible for the illegal repair work. The investigation is critical as police attempt to establish a chain of accountability. Meanwhile, a case of culpable homicide has been registered against the building owner, Bilal Ahmed Abubakar Khan, who reportedly fled to Dubai shortly before the incident. Authorities have stated he will be apprehended upon his return to India.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that this incident highlights a recurring pattern of urban negligence where structural integrity is sacrificed for quick, unauthorized fixes. The Bhiwandi Nizampur City Municipal Corporation (BNCMC) had previously declared the building dangerous and issued evacuation notices, yet residents remained, and unauthorized work continued on a critical, rusted structural pillar.

The intersection of unauthorized construction and ignored municipal warnings creates a lethal environment for urban migrants.

The human cost of this collapse is immense. Dozens of survivors, primarily migrant workers, are now living in temporary shelters such as the Gita Bhakt Mandal Ashram. Many, having lost their homes, belongings, and livelihoods, are making the difficult decision to return to their native villages in states like Uttar Pradesh.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What caused the Kohinoor building to collapse?
Preliminary investigations suggest that unauthorized repairs on a damaged structural pillar, despite municipal warnings, led to the collapse.

2. Where is the building owner currently located?
The owner, Bilal Ahmed Abubakar Khan, is believed to be in Dubai, and police are awaiting his return to effect an arrest.

Did You Know?: Structural audits are legally mandatory for older buildings in many Indian metropolitan areas to prevent such tragedies.