Six Arrests Made in Mumbai Metro Line 4 Fatal Collapse Investigation
Mumbai: In a significant development in the investigation of last month's deadly concrete parapet collapse on the under-construction Metro Line 4 in Mulund, Mumbai police have apprehended welder Ram Ashish from a village in Uttar Pradesh. This arrest elevates the total number of individuals taken into custody in connection with the tragic incident to six persons.
Court Proceedings and Ongoing Manhunt
Ram Ashish was presented before a local court following his arrest, and the judicial authority has remanded him to police custody for further interrogation. Meanwhile, project consultant Sai Suresh remains at large as authorities continue their search efforts. The police investigation is intensifying to uncover the full scope of responsibility for the catastrophic structural failure.
Details of the Fatal February 14 Incident
The devastating accident occurred on February 14 when a substantial 6ft×4 ft concrete parapet segment from the elevated viaduct of Metro Line 4, which is being constructed between Wadala and Kasarvadavali, detached and plummeted onto LBS Road in Mulund West. The falling debris struck an autorickshaw and a car passing beneath, resulting in the tragic death of a 50-year-old man and causing injuries to three other individuals. The incident has raised serious concerns about construction safety protocols in Mumbai's infrastructure projects.
Police Allegations Against the Arrested Welder
According to police statements, Ram Ashish was specifically responsible for performing welding work on the parapet structure. Investigators allege that he cut the two interlocks between the parapets and left the segment inadequately secured, directly leading to its collapse. This alleged negligence has become a central focus of the criminal investigation into the preventable tragedy.
Previous Arrests in the Case
Shortly after the collapse, law enforcement officials had already taken into custody several key personnel from the contracting companies involved. Those arrested earlier include:
- Harish Chauhan, Project Director
- Kuldeep Sapkal, Project Manager
- Saurab Singh, Deputy Manager
- Prashant Bhoir, Supervisor
All four individuals were affiliated with RAJV-Milan Infra. Additionally, Avdhoot Inamdar, Project Manager from the DB-Hill-LBG consortium, was also arrested, highlighting the multi-company nature of the project and the broad investigative net cast by authorities.
Bombay High Court Intervention and PIL Hearing
In a related legal development, the Bombay High Court on Wednesday directed authorities to submit a comprehensive status report on the Metro 4 slab collapse incident within a two-week timeframe. A division bench presided over by Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by advocate Ruju Thakkar.
The PIL specifically calls for an independent third-party safety audit of all Metro lines in Mumbai, citing heightened public anxiety among residents who regularly use LBS Marg where the fatal accident occurred. While the court initially questioned the petitioner's locus standi, it acknowledged that the requested status report could effectively address public safety concerns and fulfill the objectives outlined in the litigation.
Broader Demands of the Public Interest Litigation
The legal petition extends beyond immediate reporting requirements, seeking a detailed explanatory report from relevant authorities that clarifies the precise cause of the February 14 collapse. It raises critical questions about accountability, targeting both the contractors and public authorities overseeing not only this specific project but also several other Metro rail initiatives across the city.
Furthermore, the PIL urges the High Court to issue directives compelling public bodies to explain why no disciplinary or legal action had been initiated against the contractor responsible for the Mulund incident prior to the court's intervention. This legal pressure underscores growing judicial scrutiny of infrastructure safety standards in India's financial capital.
