Tragedy struck in Surat as a five-storey building collapsed on Saturday, claiming the lives of seven individuals in what municipal officials have confirmed was an unauthorized construction. The incident has sparked outrage and legal action against the owners amid revelations of neglect and warnings prior to the collapse.
The ill-fated Kailash Raj Residency, located in Sachin Pali village of Surat, collapsed around 2:30 pm amidst heavy rainfall. Most of the building was vacant, with only a few flats occupied by factory workers at the time of the collapse. Rescue efforts by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), police, and fire brigade recovered seven bodies from the debris, with only one survivor rescued.
Officials from the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) disclosed that while the building’s layout plan was approved, it lacked essential construction permission and Building Use (BU) certification. The structure, originally under the Surat Urban Development Authority (SUDA) before SMC jurisdiction in 2020, had been flagged in April for strengthening amid pre-monsoon checks. Despite the notice, there were no indications of imminent collapse, according to an SMC official.
Following the collapse, Surat Police have filed an FIR against the building’s owners—Raj Kakadiya and his mother Ramilaben Kakadiya—as well as Ashwin Vekariya, responsible for rent collection. Charges include culpable homicide not amounting to murder under various sections of the Indian Penal Code. Vekariya has been arrested, while Kakadiya and his mother, currently abroad, are being pursued by authorities.
The deceased, identified as textile workers from Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, include Hiraman Kevat, Abhishek, Brijesh God, Shivpujan Kevat, Anmol Harijan, Parvesh Kevat, and Lalji Kevat. Their tragic deaths have underscored concerns over safety in unauthorized constructions and the accountability of property owners in ensuring structural integrity.
As investigations continue into the causes of the collapse, including possible structural weaknesses, local authorities and community leaders are demanding stricter enforcement of building regulations to prevent future tragedies. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks posed by unauthorized constructions and the need for stringent oversight in urban development planning.
Sources By Agencies