Mohali: Sohana building collapse inquiry report indicts building owners, contractor

                Mohali: The inquiry report regarding the 
Sohana building collapse, which resulted in 
two fatalities, has found the building owners 
and contractor culpable due to their 
negligence. The 
findings establish equal liability and guilt for 
both parties concerning abetment and 
collusion.
The two proprietors, Gagandeep Singh and 
Parminder Singh, residents of Chao Majra 
village in Mohali district, were initially arrested 
but subsequently released on bail.
Mohali SDM Damandeep Kaur conducted the 
investigation and submitted her findings to the 
Mohali deputy commissioner after 65 days of 
the incident for subsequent action.
The investigation revealed that based on all 
available evidence and documentation, the 
building's collapse occurred due to the 
negligent actions of both the contractor and 
owners.

The report highlighted that excavation at the 
construction site had extended below the 
existing building's foundation, triggering its 
collapse. Expert analysis indicated that 
excavations 
deeper and closer to adjacent structures 
increase collapse risks due to soil settlement 
or uneven soil pressure, disrupting structural 
equilibrium.
The findings additionally emphasise that when 
owner involvement is established or 
suspected, anyone who assisted in furthering 
the act bears equal responsibility for abetment 
and 
collusion. The contractor's role warrants 
attention, as excavation commenced without 
proper precautionary measures due to 
insufficient expertise.
The magistrate concluded that the incident 
resulted in two casualties and property 
damage, causing significant public distress. 
The co-owners bear direct responsibility, with 
the 
contractor sharing equal culpability.
The report indicates that all relevant 
government directives were circumvented 
through deliberate misconduct and malicious 
intent. The findings have been forwarded for 
appropriate 
governmental action.
On Dec 22, 2024, a five-storey building 
collapsed in Sohana village of Mohali, claiming 
two lives. Drishti, a 29-year-old bride-to-be from 
Theog near Shimla, awaiting her March 2025 
wedding, tragically lost her life in the incident. 
Abhishek Dhanwal, aged 28, from Ambala, was 
extracted from the rubble but was pronounced 
dead upon arrival at hospital.
The 23-hour rescue operation involved 
approximately 140 NDRF personnel, 167 
members from the Army's 57 Engineers 
Regiment, over 300 local police officers, and 
additional allied 
department staff.
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Owners booked for culpable homicide not 
amounting to murder
Building owners were booked for culpable 
homicide not amounting to murder in the 
building collapse incident. Mohali police 
booked the building owners, Parwinder Singh 
and 
Gagandeep Singh under Section 105 of BNS at 
Sohana police station. They were released on 
bail later. The presumed cause of the collapse 
was the excavation of the basement in 
the adjoining plot and the accumulation of 
water leaked during digging, which 
compromised the foundation of the five-storey 
building (including the basement).
BOX
DC warned MC, Gmada of legal action
The Mohali deputy commissioner had warned 
MC and GMADA officials of legal action if any 
tragedy like the Sohana building collapse 
occurs again. The DC had directed local 
officials 
to ensure that no more tragedies like the 
Sohana collapse happen. Every ongoing 
construction must comply with building 
bylaws. Violations should be checked, and 
stringent action 
should be ensured, the DC had said.



Source : Times of India