Jaipur building collapse: Death toll rises to five

JAIPUR: The death toll in the building collapse in Bhatta-Basti here has risen to five with the recovery of two more bodies in the early hours today, police said.

"Bodies of Mahroon Khatoon (30) and eight-year-old girl Bablee were recovered after removing rubbles," ACP, Shastri Nagar, Rajesh Beniwal told PTI.

Raju (20), Sabir (18) and nine-year-old Babloo were killed and 12 injured when the four-storey building collapsed in the wee hours yesterday.

Among the injured, nine were discharged last evening, and three were still being treated at a government hospital, he said.

Meanwhile, the owner of the building, Saleem Khan (50) was arrested from Khandela town and charged under Section 304 of the Indian Penal Code for culpable homicide, Beniwal said.

The Jaipur Municipal Corporation has ordered an enquiry into the illegal construction flouting housing norms.

A family, hailing from Bihar, was residing in the building as tenant, he said, adding that some of their relatives were also staying with them when the building collapsed.