After two rounds of DNA testing, cops confirm identity; family holds final rites
Kirit Kantharia (in grey T-shirt, in front) was reported missing since the day of the fire
The charred body found from Sachinam Heights in Nana Chowk, Tardeo has finally been identified, 27 days after the fire broke out at the high-rise and claimed nine lives. While a resident of the building was reported as missing since the fire, the police could not confirm if the body was his as it was awaiting the DNA report.
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The body was found on January 23, a day after the major fire broke out, and was kept at BYL Nair Hospital. Cops subsequently collected the DNA sample of a Yogesh Kantharia who reported his brother Kirit as missing. However, after 15 days, cops took a sample from Vaibhav, another brother. Both the samples have matched with that of the body.
Senior Inspector Rampyare Rajbhar from Gamdevi police station said, “Earlier, we had taken a blood sample of Yogesh Kantharia and later, to confirm it, we took a sample from another brother Vaibhav Kantharia. Both the DNA reports matched.”
Speaking with mid-day Yogesh said, “It is after 27 days that we were informed that the body is my brother’s. The body was kept at the hospital for all this time and nobody claimed it. We suspected it was Kirit and have been following up with the police for the DNA report. He was finally declared dead on Thursday. I had lost my mother to this fire, and now my brother too.” Kirit’s mother Manjulaben, a senior citizen, is one of the victims of the fire.
BMC committee to submit report today
The special committee of experts appointed by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation to probe into the fire is set to submit its report today. Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Zone 2) Harshad Kale had initially given the committee 15 days’ time to submit the report, but there was a delay.
Kale told midday, “Our report is ready but one of our committee members is not here and his signature is pending. After taking his signature, we will submit it to BMC Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal.”
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