Following a building collapse tragedy in Garden Reach resulting in 12 fatalities, Kolkata’s police stations, including Garden Reach and Metiabruz, have initiated audits of all under-construction buildings and those undergoing significant remodeling within their jurisdictions. The focus is on structures where construction began within the past 18 months.
Upon completion, the audit findings will be submitted to the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) for verification of necessary sanctions. The police will maintain a centralized record of these structures and collaborate with the KMC to address any complaints or take legal action under the KMC Act, as warranted.
Furthermore, the police are preparing Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for investigating illegal constructions, with a focus on tracing the funding sources. Allegations suggest that Md Wasim, the promoter of the collapsed building, utilized funds from illegal call centers to convert black money into white. Investigations into the money trail aim to establish criminal conspiracy charges against the accused.
While not directly owning any call center, Wasim’s premises were allegedly utilized for such illegal activities, with his brother acting as a conduit. Funds generated from construction activities were purportedly funneled into the call center business and vice versa, as per sources familiar with the matter.