Mumbai mayor: Decorator responsible for building collapse, killing 66

[alp227]

Source: CNN

Authorities say they now know what may have caused a five-story building in Mumbai to collapse last week: a decorator who removed a central wall and supporting beams without permission.

By Sunday, the death toll from Friday's collapse stood at 66. Fearing they may have pulled out the last of the survivors, officials ended their rescue operation.

Ashok Kumar Mehta, owner of Mamamiya Decorators, was charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder -- a charge equal to unlawful negligent killing, polIce said.

Mehta's business was on the ground floor of the crumbled building.

Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/29/world/asia/mumbai-building-collapse/index.html

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Times of India: Mazgaon building crash toll soars to 54, worst in city’s recent memory
Indian Express: Decorator held for illegal construction in 'godown'

[Turbineguy]

1. This is why we need more republicans in the US.

sure, 31,000 people a year would still get shot but many more would die in building collapses, industrial accidents and from pollution, making those 31,000 seem just a bit easier to accept.

(Maybe somebody could fill in which NRA talking point that is?)

[marble falls]

2. Huh?

[csziggy]

3. Many Republicans think building regulations are an unfari burden on businesses

Just think, if that poor decorator hadn't had to adhere to stringent regulations that required a structural inspection before he took out that wall, his business would be flourishing today.

Wait -

[marble falls]

4. So Republican as a group want buildings to collapse. Baaaad Republicans!

[Recursion]

5. Ah, yeah, that

Talk to me when I'm not stationed in Mumbai anymore, if you want my full opinion...

[maxsolomon]

6. That's why Permits, Architects and Engineers are needed for Structural alterations in the US of A

Be glad you live in all this red tape.

"Tear down that bitch of a bearing wall and put a window where it OUGHT to be."
-Faye Dunaway, Mommie Dearest.