In Brief
A residential tower in Ahmedabad collapsed in the 2001 Gujarat earthquake, killing 98 residents including four members of the appellant's family. The appellant challenged the High Court's order refusing to frame charges under Section 304 IPC (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) against the builder, though charges under Section 304A IPC (death by negligence) had been framed. The Supreme Court upheld the High Court's decision, holding that merely sub-standard construction approved by authorities does not establish that the accused had knowledge the construction would likely cause death in an earthquake. Section 304 Part II requires such knowledge, whereas Section 304A addresses negligence. The appeal was dismissed.
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