Bengaluru: As the Dharwad building collapse toll rose to 12, the Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy yesterday ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident.
The building’s design engineer Vivek Pawar was arrested and four other accused are at large including the relative of former Karnataka minister Vinay Kulkarni, said media reports.
According to media reports, rescue operation was still on. While 54 people had been rescued till now, bodies of five people, including that of eight-year-old girl, were retrieved from the rubble yesterday. Fourteen are still feared to be trapped inside.
Speaking to reporters, the Chief Minister said “A magisterial inquiry has been ordered. If required, government is ready for high level inquiry.” He visited the spot and spoke to the relatives of the victims and injured. He also informed that since the model code of conduct for Lok abha polls was in effect, he cannot announce any compensation now. He said that he has entrusted the chief secretary to announce adequate compensation to the next to the kin of the deceased and injured.
Earlier, BJP MLA from Hubballi-Dharwad central and former Karnataka chief minister Jagadish Shettar, who had visited the spot, demanded Rs 10 lakh compensation to the families of the victims.