'Had informed Walia about waterlogging'

Owner of collapsed building makes allegation against Delhi's urban development minister; the Congress leader rubbishes claims

During investigations, owner of the ill-fated building, Amritpal Singh Sachdeva has allegedly revealed to the police that he is very close to a prominent Delhi Congress leader and even helped him during elections. Cops however refused to comment on the issue saying that the investigations are at a preliminary stage.


In the net :u00a0Amritpal Singh, owner of the building, was produced in
court by Delhi police on Wednesday. Pic/MiD DAY

The accused also claimed that he donated money for the election campaign of the leader. Sources in Delhi police confirmed that Sachdeva was roaming in the area on the night of the incident and fled next morning. Cops intercepted him when he contacted one of his relatives.

Sachdeva also shocked the media by claiming he had informed Delhi's urban development minister, Dr AK Walia, about waterlogging in the now collapsed building. The minister later denied the allegations. Sachdeva also rapped the police by teaching them the fine points of the law.

He said the police had booked him under section 304 (culpable homicide and not amounting to murder) while he should have been booked under section 304A (death by negligence). He said that he doesn't seek bail yet and will let the police interrogate him and gather more evidence against him if they can.

Meanwhile cops said they were helpless in stopping Sachdeva's illegal constructions as MCD would each time approve his building map.

"MCD tied our hands by approving the building map or he would be behind bars," claimed a police officer.
Delhi police officials said they will interrogate Sachdeva and search other buildings owned by him in trying to procure documents about his total wealth.

"He has assets worth more than Rs 15 Crore. But to establish our claims we need some time. In 1990 there was only a hall where the multi-storey building stood till Monday. In 1997 halls were built and two floors were added. In 2005 Amritpal Singh constructed 33 rooms in the building and added three more floors," said a senior police officer.

Police officials close to the investigations said that they are mulling over booking Amritpal under the Child Labour Act.

"Around seven to ten children were killed in the incident and no one has come forward to identify them. We are sure that they were child labourers who worked in Amrit's factory. We have been informed by locals that kids also worked in the building, and were paid only 20 to 35 rupees a day," said a senior police official.