A tragic incident in Kolkata's Park Circus area has resulted in the death of a senior citizen and injuries to three others after a portion of a dilapidated building's ceiling collapsed on them early Monday morning. The Kolkata Police have now registered a case against the owner of the property, citing a clear failure to maintain the premises.
Details of the Tragic Collapse
The incident occurred around 3 am on Monday at a three-storey residential building located on Samsul Huda Road in the Lohapool area of Park Circus. Rabia Khatun (61) was sleeping on the ground floor with three family members when chunks of concrete from the ceiling suddenly crashed down on them.
Police reports confirm that Rabia Khatun suffered severe head injuries. She was rushed to a nearby hospital but was declared dead upon arrival. The three injured victims are her 9-year-old granddaughter Ayesha Khatun, her 16-year-old grandson Umar, and her 55-year-old brother Wahid Abdul.
Officials from CNMCH (likely a hospital) stated that while Ayesha's injuries were minor, Umar and Wahid Abdul required continued medical treatment following the accident.
Police Case Filed Against Owner
The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) played a pivotal role in the aftermath. On January 7, the KMC's buildings department filed a formal complaint following a joint investigation with the Karaya police station. The civic body urged that their complaint be treated as a First Information Report (FIR).
The FIR alleges sheer negligence and irresponsibility on the part of the building's owner. The core finding of the investigation was that the collapse was a direct result of the owner's failure to maintain the aging residential structure.
A Preventable Tragedy?
Disturbing accounts from neighbours suggest this tragedy might have been avoided. Local residents claimed they had made repeated requests to the owner to repair the clearly dilapidated house, but these pleas were allegedly ignored.
This incident in central Kolkata has once again highlighted the critical issue of building safety and owner accountability in densely populated urban areas. The case underscores the potential consequences when necessary maintenance and repairs are neglected, putting the lives of tenants at grave risk.
