MUMBAI: A sessions court has denied anticipatory bail to builder Bhavesh Sanghrajka (43), noting that the safety nets at his construction site were severely damaged. This ruling follows the tragic death of 22-year-old Sanskruti Amin, who was struck by a concrete brick that fell from the 19th floor of Sanghrajka’s building on October 7.
“The photographs reveal significant damage to the safety nets, rendering them ineffective. The court was made aware of the government’s Special Safety Control guidelines relating to high-rise construction, which the builder failed to follow,” stated Additional Sessions Judge TT Aglawe in an order dated October 29.
The judge emphasized the need for further investigation, mentioning that the cement block fell onto a road frequented by pedestrians.
“It’s evident from the photos that no temporary structure was erected to protect pedestrians near the site,” the judge remarked, adding that the builder cannot claim ignorance about the construction process.
“The investigation is still in its early phase, and a thorough inquiry is needed to determine accountability. The applicant’s custodial interrogation may be crucial for an accurate investigation,” the judge observed.
Anil Amin, the victim’s father, opposed Sanghrajka’s plea through attorney Ninad Muzumdar. The site engineer, Shambhu Kumar Paswan (29), and site manager, Gaurav Sondagar (39), are also implicated. The case suggests that adequate safety precautions were not implemented onsite. Sanghrajka’s defense team argued that the site manager and supervisor, who were directly overseeing construction, have already been arrested.
The defense further claimed that all necessary permits, including a Commencement Certificate verifying safety measures, were in place, and that safety nets had been installed around the building. They also mentioned that Sanghrajka was not present during the incident, making his interrogation unnecessary.
The Investigating Officer and public prosecutor, Imran K Shaikh, contended that the accused neglected construction safety protocols, resulting in negligence that led to the incident. It was pointed out that there were previous occurrences of materials falling from the site, indicating a persistent indifference to safety despite prior warnings.
The judge highlighted that the Commencement Certificate mandates strict adherence to safety measures to prevent accidents.
The judge further noted that while Sanghrajka’s plea was filed on October 13, he simultaneously sought anticipatory bail from the Bombay High Court on October 16—a fact not disclosed during the hearings. “This indicates a lack of transparency on the applicant’s part,” the judge concluded.
