Prima Facie: Here’s Why Ghaziabad Crematorium Roof Collapsed

"This shelter was built just a month or two ago. It collapsed following the first rain. The contractor should be put behind the bar immediately", said one of the relatives of the victim.

New Delhi: The death toll due to a roof collapse at Ghaziabad cremation ground climbed to 25 on Monday. The dead, all of them men, were mostly relatives or neighbours of Jai Ram, who was being cremated at the time of the mishap, which occurred when people had taken shelter under the recently constructed structure while it rained.

Following the incident, several questions have been raised over the construction of the crematorium. The local people have claimed that bad material was used for building the shed. Besides, they said the rubble showed that very little cement was used in construction, which led to the tragedy. People have demanded that the contractor responsible for the construction of the shelter at the cremation ground be arrested.

Did corruption in #Ghaziabad crematorium claim lives of 25 people?

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Eyewitnesses Testimonies

“This shelter was built just a month or two ago. It collapsed following the first rain. The contractor should be put behind the bar immediately”, said one of the relatives of the victim.

Uddham Singh (25), who had gone with his friends to attend the last rites of his neighbour, said he saw two people dying in front of him.

“I was unconscious for the first 20 minutes. When I got back in senses, I saw my friends getting me out of the rubble. I am in pain now, but hopefully will recover soon,” said Singh, who had injuries in his shoulder and foot.

CM Seeks Report

Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath has directed Meerut’s Divisional Commissioner and Additional Director General of the police zone to submit a report on the incident. The chief minister also announced that Rs 2 lakh as financial relief for the families of each man killed.

3 People Booked so Far

Meanwhile, contractor Ajay Tyagi, executive officer of the municipality Niharika Singh, junior engineer Chandra Pal and supervisor Ashis were booked under relevant sections of the IPC, including 304 (causing death by negligence) on the complaint of a deceased’s son at the Muradnagar police station.