India, Dec. 13 -- Nearly five months after the illegal four-storey Ramabai Apartments in Virar crashed on August 28, killing 17 residents and injuring several others, the Vasai-Virar City Municipal Corporation (VVCMC) has suspended assistant municipal commissioner (AMC) Gilson Gonsalves. He was arrested this week by the Mira-Bhayander Vasai-Virar (MBVV) police crime branch for allegedly failing to act against the unauthorised structure despite being aware of serious irregularities that made it unsafe.

Gonsalves, AMC of the corporation's C ward, is accused of ignoring the dangerous condition of the 12-year-old building and not initiating mandatory action against the contractor or landowner, including issuing proper notices under the Mahar...