6 Dead in Kalyan Slab Collapse; Flat Owner Arrested for Illegal Renovation Work

Kalyan, May 21: A tragic incident unfolded in Kalyan East on Tuesday afternoon when a slab from a fourth-floor flat at the Saptashrungi building collapsed, crashing through four floors and claiming six lives, including that of a two-year-old girl. Six others sustained injuries in the devastating mishap.

Authorities confirmed that the collapse was triggered by unauthorized flooring work carried out in Flat No. 401, owned by Krishna Lalchand Chourasia, 40. Police arrested Chourasia late Tuesday night for allegedly conducting structural alterations without obtaining necessary approvals.

He has been booked under Sections 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and 125 (act endangering life or personal safety of others) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with relevant provisions of the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, 1966.

“This illegal work directly compromised the structural integrity of the building,” said Senior Inspector Ganesh Nhayade of the Kolsewadi police station. “We are conducting a thorough investigation to determine if there were other lapses or additional parties involved.”

The Saptashrungi building, over 30 years old and located in a densely populated part of Kalyan East, was not listed among the buildings classified as dangerous, officials confirmed.

Vishwas Gujar, Kalyan Sub-Divisional Officer, stated that the remaining structure is no longer deemed safe for habitation and will be demolished.

“Safety of residents is our priority. The incident highlights the dangers of unauthorized construction and the urgent need for stricter enforcement,” Gujar said.

Emergency services and civic officials responded swiftly to the collapse, rescuing trapped residents and transporting the injured to local hospitals. The deceased were identified by late evening, with grief-stricken families mourning the sudden and preventable loss.

As the investigation continues, civic authorities are urging residents to refrain from undertaking unauthorized renovations and to report any suspicious structural changes in residential buildings.