Builder of Crystal Tower says fire safety upkeep not his job
The developer of Crystal Towerin Parel told the court on Thursday that maintenance of the building’s firefighting equipment was not his responsibility. While rescue personnel tried to douse the blaze on Wednesday, they found that the building’s firefighting apparatus, like water hydrants, sprinklers and hose couplings, was not functional. Chief fire officer Prabhat Rahangdale had said that even the electrical ducts were not sealed. It was on the basis of the fire department’s complaint that the Bhoiwada police arrested the developer, Abdul Razzak Sopariwala, for culpable homicide and criminal negligence. The police produced him before the Bhoiwada magistrate court on Thursday, seeking his custody. They told the court that the building was constructed in the 2012 and that Sopariwala gave its possession to residents without obtaining an occupation certificate (OC) from the BMC. They also said that he knew that the firefighting equipment in the building was not functional, but chose to ignore the risks.
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