Takshahila Arcade fire: 14th accused arrested

Surat:

Dinesh Vekariya

,

one of the partners in Takshashila Aracade

, where 22 young lives were snuffed out in fire last year,

was arrested on Tuesday.

Vekariya, 48, a resident of Valak in Kamrej, was booked after his role was found as one of the developers of the building during investigation by crime branch. He, along with the main developer Savji Paghdar, and others entered in partnership for redevelopment of the building. The accused builders planned to construct additional floor on old residential building illegally after purchasing it’s majority of portion from previous owners.

Police were unable to arrest Vekariya since May 2019 when the offence was registered. Sources in police department informed that Vekariya was arrested after he surrendered. He is the 14th accused to be arrested in the case.

On May 24, 2019, 22 students of Smart Design Studio were killed and 19 others injured.

Police have arrested Jignesh Paghdar, administrator of the building, Savji Paghdar, Harsukh Vekariya and Ravindra Kahar- all three owners of building. Others arrested include Bhargav Butani, owner of the coaching class and Parag Munshi and Jayesh Solanki, both executive engineers of Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) who had cleared the project's file. Other junior SMC officers Vinu Parmar, Himanshu Gajjar, both deputy engineers, Atul Gorsawala, junior engineer, Sanjay Acharya, deputy chief fire officer and Kirti Modh, fire officer were arrested. Dipak Naik, deputy engineer of Dakshin Gujarat Vij Company Limited, was also arrested for negligence.

The offence was registered under various sections of Indian Penal Code for death due to negligence and others. Later police added sections for forging papers against the accused after police found evidences.

Of the accused Acharya, Modh and Naik got bail while the court refused bail to other accused. Acharya was arrested by ACB for the case of disproportionate assets registered against him.