Taratala warehouse collapse: SIT probes alleged role of KMC officials as death toll rises to 17

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the collapse of an under-construction warehouse in Taratala has, in its preliminary findings, indicated the alleged involvement of both the construction agency and officials of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC). According to the investigation, mandatory inspections required at different stages of construction were allegedly not carried out, allowing the project to continue despite alleged violations of prescribed building norms. The SIT is also examining allegations that the construction proceeded unchecked due to the influence of the accused, Kalicharan Bandyopadhyay, and alleged financial irregularities involving officials responsible for monitoring the project.

According to the preliminary investigation, municipal regulations require inspections by sub-engineers, assistant engineers, executive engineers and building department officials from the approval stage until project completion. The SIT alleges that these mandatory procedures were not followed in the Taratala project. Investigators are examining whether any official permission, negligence or failure in supervision enabled the construction to continue without compliance with required safety standards. The roles of officials responsible for overseeing the project area are currently under scrutiny.

Meanwhile, the toll from the warehouse collapse has continued to rise after another injured person died while undergoing treatment at SSKM Hospital, taking the unofficial death toll to 17. National Disaster Response Force personnel are continuing rescue operations at the site, where the pancake-style collapse has made access to the debris difficult. Rescue teams have reported a foul odour from beneath the rubble, raising concerns that additional victims may remain trapped. The search operation is scheduled to continue on Sunday as teams systematically examine every section of the collapsed structure.