DMK demands CBI probe into Chennai building collapse

Despite Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa setting up a SIT (Special Investigation Team) to probe the collapse, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader  and treasurer MK Stalin on Saturday handed over a petition to State Governor K Rosaiah demanding a CBI probe and calling the SIT an eyewash. He met the Governor with a representation.

He requested all opposition parties to unite and bring justice for those who lost their dear ones in the collapse.

"Jaya has covered up the misdeeds of the concerned minister and G.O copy proves that the building approval was given by violating the norms," Stalin tweeted.

"Massive and overwhelming response to the protest. The govt should respect the voice of the people and order a CBI enquiry immediately," Stalin tweeted after leading a protest.

"Met with the Governor and presented our petition. Pointed out lapses of various govt departments that resulted in this tragedy," he tweeted.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Sunday last announced the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe into the collapse of the 11-storey building near Chennai that claimed 61 lives.

The SIT will be headed by a joint commissioner of police.

The team will also have experts from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Madras, Anna University and other universities, besides those in the State Public Works Department (PWD), reports said.

Earlier, the state CM had set up a probe panel under a judge and said action will be taken after its report and fixing of responsibility.

The building collapse, which took place on June 28, claimed lives of 61 persons.  The building collapsed at Moulivakkam near Chennai..

A case had been booked under several provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) at the Mangadu police station and senior executives of the firm that had taken up the construction of the building were among those arrested, The Hindu reported.