Arrest Made Over Deadly Bhiwandi Apartment Collapse
Published on 08/03/2026 at 08:08 | Redaktion boerse-global.de
Police in Bhiwandi have arrested a caretaker in connection with the collapse of the Kohinoor Apartment building, a disaster that killed 10 people and injured several others. The arrest on August 2 follows an investigation into unauthorised structural repairs that allegedly weakened the four-storey residential complex — a case that highlights the dangers of unregulated building work across India's ageing housing stock.
Unauthorised Repairs Under Scrutiny
The suspect, 49-year-old Amritlal Mithailal Nishad, served as caretaker for the building's B-wing. Authorities say he began repairs on the property's structural columns without obtaining the necessary permits from the Bhiwandi-Nizampur Municipal Corporation (BNMC). The building collapsed in late July, leaving more than 100 families homeless.
According to local law enforcement, Nishad was aware of the building's precarious condition but pressed ahead without professional oversight or municipal clearance. He reportedly collected funds from residents to pay for the work and hired a contractor, Ashok Paswan, who was among those killed when the structure failed.
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Charges and Ongoing Manhunt
The Bhiwandi police have filed charges under the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning (MRTP) Act. A local court has placed Nishad in police custody until August 5 as the investigation continues. Meanwhile, officers are searching for the building's owner, Bilal Ahmed Abubkar Khan, believed to be in the United Arab Emirates, and his business partner, Danish Ejaz Ahmed Shaikh. Both are currently absconding.
Records show the Kohinoor Apartment building had been listed as a dangerous structure by municipal authorities since 2020. Despite its inclusion on the hazard list, the building remained occupied until the collapse on July 30.
Mass Evacuation Orders Issued
In the wake of the tragedy, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered the immediate and forced evacuation of all buildings classified under the "C1" category, which denotes structures most at risk of collapse. Thane Commissioner Saurabh Rao has instructed municipal officials to conduct thorough inspections of dilapidated properties and facilitate the relocation of residents to temporary housing.
The BNMC has identified 1,074 buildings across Bhiwandi as unsafe, including 238 structures in the high-risk C1 category and 836 in the C2A category, which requires major structural repairs. Mayor Narayan Choudhary has authorised the disconnection of electricity and water supplies for buildings where residents refuse to vacate, citing the urgent need to prevent further loss of life.
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Municipal authorities have also announced citywide safety measures, including night inspections to detect and stop any unauthorised repair work that could further destabilise ageing structures. Temporary shelters have been prepared to accommodate displaced residents for an initial period as the city manages the broader housing crisis highlighted by the collapse.
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