Prelim probe pins blame on MC, owners

Owners never obtained building plan approval, MC officials failed to enforce regulations, finds initial probe by SDM

- Nikhil Sharma

MOHALI: The local administration's preliminary investigation into the Sohana building collapse, which claimed two young lives, has revealed that the structure was built without an approved building plan.

Additionally, the building's owners did not obtain drawings for the adjacent plot, where they were illegally digging a basement, causing the land to sink and bringing down the four-storey building, according to the probe.

The investigation further found that municipal corporation officials were at fault for failing to enforce regulations.

While Mohali sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) Damandeep Kaur, who is leading the inquiry into the December 21 incident, has yet to submit her final report to the deputy commissioner, the initial findings hold MC officials, the building owners and the contractor responsible.

The report highlights human and technical errors, and stresses the need for precautions to prevent similar incidents in the future.