The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC)' s report on the Zamrudpur mishap may not be considered as evidence in an independent investigation being carried out by the Delhi Police, a senior officer said.
Six workers had died earlier this month when a pillar being constructed for a Metro rail link in South Delhi collapsed.
A case of causing death due to negligence was registered, but no official was named as accused then because the cause of the accident was not clear.
According to the law, anyone found guilty of causing death due to negligence can be put behind bars for up to a year and may be asked to pay compensation to the victim's family.
The DMRC on Tuesday fixed responsibility for the mishap and named three engineers, who reportedly overlooked crucial design and construction details that led to the mishap. Design and structural consultants hired by the DMRC were also banned for varying periods for reportedly failing to ensure the strength of the pillar that collapsed.
But a senior Delhi Police officer said at this stage the report was inconsequential to the criminal investigation they were conducting into the mishap.
"For us, several officials, including those from the DMRC, are suspects. How can a report prepared by an agency that is under the scanner be used as proof in our investigation?" asked a senior police officer.
The Metro report on the mishap is effectively just a company probe and its findings cannot be made a premise for carrying out a criminal investigation, said the officer.
"The DMRC knew of the crack in the pillar at Zamrudpur long ago. It even claimed to have corrected the fault. For all you know, more officials could be responsible for the accident. We can't say if the Metro's probe is foolproof," said the officer.
The Delhi Police have now asked a team of experts from the Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, to find out what led to the mishap and who was responsible.
"The team was requested to do the job a few weeks ago. They are expected to lift samples from the construction site soon. We will take further action once they conduct the required tests and submit a final report," said the officer.
The south district police were handling the case initially but the investigation was transferred to the Crime Branch recently. Former police commissioner Ajay Raj Sharma said the Metro's report could be used as evidence if its conclusions match those of the police probe.
"Then the Metro report will come handy in proving the charges in court. It will strengthen the police case and help in convicting the guilty officials," said Sharma.
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