MUMBAI, June 6 -- The ground-plus-two-storey building inside the Mumbai police headquarters in Fort, which has served as the office of the crime branch since 1909, will soon be demolished as it is dilapidated and beyond repair. The crime branch will temporarily shift its office to the Bawla Compound in Chinchpokli till a new six-storeyed building comes up in place of the earlier structure, said sources in Mumbai police. "The building's front-end made of stone is still in proper condition, but the iron beams at the back have rusted and are becoming increasingly unsafe by the day," a senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer told HT. Structural auditors who examined the century-old building recommended that it be demolished, he said. "Besides, the overall strength of the city police force has increased and we are facing a severe space crunch at the headquarters," the officer said. Apart from the crime branch, the new, six-storeyed building will house the CCTV monitoring centre, the administrative branch and meeting rooms, the officer noted. The demolition of the building will begin in another month or two, said a senior police officer. In recent decades, the two-storey building has witnessed the interrogation of several hardened criminals. Their ranks include 26/11 terrorist Ajmal Kasab, underworld dons Rajendra Sadashiv Nikalje aka Chhota Rajan, Arun Gawli, Abu Salem and Ejaz Lakdawala. P10...