CHENNAI: Justice R Raghupathy, who heads the one-man inquiry commission appointed by Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, on Wednesday summoned the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority’s (CMDA) multi-storied panel committee members as well as those who scrutinised the plan of the Moulivakkam building which collapsed on June 28, killing 61 persons.
Sources in the CMDA revealed that those summoned included planning assistant Santosh Kumar, assistant planner Esther, deputy planner Meena, chief planner Rajsekhara Pandian and the then member secretary, who is the chairman of the panel. Sources claimed even officials of the Chennai Corporation, Police, Fire Service Department, Metro Water and Tamil Nadu Electricity Board were summoned.
Meanwhile, after the Moulivakkam tragedy, the State government has asked the planning body and revenue department to ensure that certificates are issued by officials before clearing a plan or valuating a property. A source told Express that this was to fix the responsibility on the officials. Now, a licensed surveyor who usually signs the plan, also has to certify the plan. Similarly, the architect and structural engineer should also issue certificates with regard to the design and structure of the building. The revenue department now has to certify valuation of the building.
Bail denied for six persons
Chennai: A sessions court rejected the bail pleas of six of the eight persons arrested in the Moulivakkam building collapse case. The pleas of Prime Shristi Housing Pvt Ltd MD M Manoharan and his son M Muthukamatchi were among those dismissed.